Officer Involved: when can officers fire on suspects?

Law enforcement members look over the scene of an officer involved shooting in Torrance, Calif. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. Thousands of police officers throughout Southern California and Nevada hunted for a former Los Angeles officer, Christopher Dorner, who was angry over his firing and began a deadly shooting rampage that he warned in an online posting would target those on the force who wronged him, authorities said.

The U.S. Supreme Court made an important decision on Monday that makes it harder to sue police officers for using deadly force against fleeing suspects.

In 2010, officers in Tulia, Texas, approached the car of Israel Leija Jr. at a drive-in. Leija fled and led officers on an 18-minute chase that reached speeds over 100 miles per hour.

Texas state trooper Chadrin Mullenix attempted to disable the vehicle with a rifle, despite not getting approval from his commanding officer.

Mullenix inadvertently shot and killed Leija.

Lower courts ruled that Mullenix was not immune from lawsuits, meaning he was not protected because the shooting was not deemed justified.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the case, affirming that Mullenix is immune.

David Klinger, professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Missouri – St Louis explains the history of how the courts determine when a shooting is justified and its effects on police tactics.