zlacker

>the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties

This is probably the most disturbing thing I read about law enforcement. To me it translates into following: as an officer acting under "color of law" I am free to loose my temper and kill whoever the f..k I want for any reason as long as I am not doing it based on color/race/whatever. All I have to do is to "pretend to act in the performance of my duties".

Can somebody correct me if I am wrong (I sincerely hope I am).

>>FpUser+(OP)
My understanding is that "color of law" merely refers to the state of being where a person is acting in an official capacity. It imparts no legality or illegality of actions per se, but statutes might criminalize or decriminalize activity based on whether or not a person is acting under color of law.

What GP is referring to is a provision in the federal law that specifically criminalizes police activity undertaken under color of law. (Reading the statute, in this scenario, the police officer can be charged up to and including the death penalty).

As far as I'm aware, states' statutes for murder or manslaughter do not protect people acting under color of law.

>>jcranm+na
>*As far as I'm aware, states' statutes for murder or manslaughter do not protect people acting under color of law.

Phew. thank you. Hopefully maiming is not protected as well.