In what scenario would a law enforcement officer find protection under qualified immunity?

Qualified immunity protects law enforcement officers from being held personally liable for actions taken while performing their official duties, provided they acted in good faith and their actions did not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.

In this scenario, if an officer is acting in good faith while following established law, they can demonstrate that they did not knowingly infringe upon an individual's rights. This principle is designed to allow officers to perform their duties without the constant fear of litigation, as long as their conduct falls within reasonable interpretations of the law at the time of the incident.

The other scenarios mentioned do not guarantee protection under qualified immunity. For instance, merely witnessing a crime doesn’t intrinsically provide immunity; the actions taken must still align with an understanding of established rights and laws. Similarly, making an arrest based on probable cause does not automatically shield an officer from liability if the arrest is conducted in a manner that violates individuals' rights. Finally, following commands from superiors does not eliminate personal accountability, as officers must still assess whether those commands adhere to legal standards. Thus, acting in good faith while adhering to established law remains the key condition for protection under qualified immunity.