As I've said, the city would be the defendant in any law suit that would arise from the cops actions not the cop himself. The simple facts of life are the city is insured, the city has deep pockets. Attorneys 99.9% of the time won't take the case if you want to sue me personally for the simple fact is if I had any assets to go after I wouldn't be a cop. If I have a mortgage on my house it's not on the table because I don't own it, my car isn't on the table because I don't own it. My retirement isn't on the table because I don't own it yet. Social Security is never on the table. The number one reason an attorney won't touch it is because they won't get anything out of it. Unless the plaintiff finds a cop hater you pretty much don't have to worry about it. In fact if you do carry your own insurance you probably will be sued because your insurance will almost always settle so there is money on the table. If you know how the system works you know that the only time you have an issue with qualified immunity as far as the criminal end goes is if you actually get terminated. Your issue is at this point is any leagl expenses go they are your responsibility. Unless you obviously and intentionally commit a crime that's not likely. If after internal affairs, OIST does their thing they make the decision on whether it goes to a trial board. If they find you at fault they decide if it goes on to the Prosecuting Attorney's office with a criminal recommendation. Many times they'll give the cop the option to resign or go that way. Like I said I've seen a few that should have happened to but didn't. As to my remarks about having had to put 4 mutts down, they attempted to take my life and came up short. Why should that trouble me? The point was if there would be a lawsuit over that. Most likely. These are Bullshit just as most pleas of self defense are. The defendants attorney tells them to say that. Cops know that, Prosecutors know that, Judges know that from experience. It was my experience that around 5% of the self defense arguments are really self defense for a civilian. If you have any substantial time on the job you know or have even been involved in instances where a Police Officer is forced to kill a suspect other than personal defense. It comes with the job. As to your remarks about qualified immunity. If that goes away 99% of Police Officers go with it. Only those stupid enough to put themselves, families and financial assets in that kind of jepordy would take the job. If somebody you deal with at some time for one reason or another doesn't try to sue you and or the city your not doing your job. If you have issues with ending a human life when no other options are available than why are you on a forum called snipers hide? What do you think a sniper does for a living. As a Marine scout sniper I couldn't have done my job If I had issues with that. I'm not proud of it but neither do have reason to be ashamed. If putting some mutt down that's trying to take your life or the life of an innocent civilian troubles you your in the wrong line of work. I was personally responsible for everything I ever did, that's why I did it right. Being sued doesn't make you wrong. All that's about is getting money out of somebody else's pocket. I was never reckless or irresponsible about anything. I did my job and did it well that's how I lasted so long. There were countless occasions when I had to risk my life doing my job. Doing the job cost me a lot personally. Not in the form of money. If you stay in law enforcement that's going to happen. My first FTO out of the academy said to me "Boy if you want to catch a big fish ya gotta wade into the creek" if getting sued keeps you awake at night you need to do something else.