Qualified Immunity: Where Constitutional Law Meets Public Safety

In this compelling episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores one of the most contentious intersections of constitutional law and public policy with Professor Hank Chambers from the University of Richmond Law School. Together, they unpack the complex doctrine of qualified immunity and its relationship to police discretion—topics that have become central to national debates about policing, accountability, and civil rights.Professor Chambers breaks down what qualified immunity actually means, explaining how it allows law enforcement officers to avoid liability in certain situations, even when constitutional violations may have occurred. Professor Chambers offers a nuanced perspective on why some view qualified immunity as necessary protection for officers doing difficult work, while others see it as a barrier to accountability.