In which circumstance would an officer not be liable for their actions?

An officer would not be liable for their actions when acting within the color of law because this term refers to actions taken by law enforcement officials that are within their authority and in accordance with legal guidelines. This means the officer is performing their duties as expected, following the rules and regulations established by their department and the law.

In such cases, officers are generally provided with qualified immunity, which protects them from civil liability for actions taken while performing their official duties unless those actions violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights. This immunity allows them to perform their jobs without the constant threat of personal legal repercussions for decisions made in the course of their duties.

In contrast, when actions are intentional, when the officer is not on duty, or when they act unlawfully, liability is much more likely because their behavior may fall outside the protections that come with their official capacity. Intentional actions could lead to claims such as excessive force, while being off duty typically means they are not acting in a law enforcement capacity. Acting unlawfully, naturally, undermines their legal protections and can result in legal consequences.