What constitutes criminal liability for a police officer?

Criminal liability for a police officer fundamentally revolves around the legal consequences that arise when an individual's actions constitute a violation of criminal law. The aspect of being found guilty of a crime and facing incarceration clearly encapsulates this concept. When a police officer is convicted, it demonstrates that their behavior not only violated legal statutes but also meets the necessary threshold for criminal culpability. This liability typically follows a legal proceeding where the officer's actions are scrutinized under the law, and a guilty verdict results in penalties, which may include imprisonment.

In contrast, the other scenarios provided do not inherently indicate criminal liability. Failure to report a crime may lead to disciplinary actions but does not typically equate to a criminal conviction. Making an arrest without proper evidence might breach departmental policies or result in civil liabilities, but does not directly lead to criminal liability unless it involves extreme misconduct or violations of constitutional rights. Similarly, working overtime without authorization is more likely a concern of employment policies and could result in administrative penalties rather than criminal repercussions.