What type of immunity protects law enforcement officers in civil suits under certain circumstances?

Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects law enforcement officers from civil suits when they engage in actions that fall within the scope of their official duties, provided their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known. This means that even if an officer's actions result in injury or harm, they may be shielded from liability if it is determined that they were acting reasonably given the circumstances at the time and that the rights violated were not clearly established.

This protection allows law enforcement officers to perform their duties without the constant fear of being sued for every decision they make, which is essential for maintaining law and order. The qualified immunity standard ensures that officers are accountable for their actions only when they violate established legal norms, thereby striking a balance between the need for legal accountability and the need for effective law enforcement.