What is indicated about police liability in excessive force situations?

Liability in excessive force situations is a nuanced subject in law enforcement. The correct choice indicates that liability can apply without direct participation, which reflects the principles established in various cases and legal doctrines.

In many instances, officers may share liability even if they did not physically use excessive force themselves. This can arise from situations where an officer fails to intervene in a situation where excessive force is being applied by another officer or where they contribute to creating the circumstances that lead to such force being used. This principle is supported by the concept of supervisory liability, where supervisors can be held accountable for the actions of their subordinates if they had a role in the training, supervision, or failure to enforce policies that could prevent the use of excessive force.

This understanding underlines the importance of accountability within police departments and aims to ensure systemic changes that promote adherence to appropriate use-of-force standards across all officers.