Objectively Reasonable

Today @ChiefShughes and I were honored to present to at the Pathway to Excellence conference. We presented a CPT certified portion of our Legally Confident - Tactically Confident class - making THE #HardestJobInAmerica ... easier. #GavelTravels #Police #Law

@CHIEFGILBERT1 I will chiefing to you chief. I was a presenter that day. 😀

Bob I always knew you were going to come out of retirement and become a Chief! Congrats @ObjectivelyRea

Today, I was honored to present a customized Patrol Legal Updates, CPT certified class to host Delaware Police. Making THE #HardestJobInAmerica ... easier. Evaluation excerpts: "All of this material was taught at such a refreshing level. It was easy to understand and follow, while giving an excellent refresher of important topics. Additionally, they way it was used and taught using new updates was very helpful." "The presentation was amazing. I enjoyed the updated topics and the videos. Seeing the videos and the application helps things stick." "While I am new to professional training such as these; I can affirmatively say that this is the besttraining I have been to. Content is current and practical while being shown and taught in an engaging way." Thank you team! #GavelTravels #Police #Law Thank you Chief Adam Moore for your trust to train your teammates. Upcoming Patrol Legal Update classes: April 17 - Auglaize County April 20 - Hamilton August 5 - Englewood August 31 - Hamilton September 2 - Lancaster October 12 - Bowling Green November 9 - Elyria Register: objectivelyreasonable.com/seminars/patro…

Police Hiring is very challenging. Retention is tougher. And one mistake by a leader can turn into a lawsuit that costs your city—and your team. Police leadership matter more than ever. Field Training Officers. Officers in Charge. Sergeants. Command Staff. These teammates are the ones shaping culture, correcting performance, and making decisions that either prevent or create liability. That’s why this class was built. Command Ready: Law. Tactics. Leadership. A CPT-certified course designed specifically for Ohio law enforcement leaders who want to lead with confidence—and reduce risk. April 22 - Norwood April 27 - Madison Twp [Franklin County] May 1 - Boardman June 16 - Lancaster June 24 - Holmes County September 9 - Avon This is practical leadership grounded in real incidents, real lawsuits, and real supervisory decisions. You’ll learn how to: Address unmotivated and underperforming officers. Establish leadership presence that drives accountability and morale. Build an ownership-driven culture within your squad. Navigate use of force investigations. Avoid common supervisory pitfalls tied to civil liability. Prevent failures in supervision and training. Understand how qualified immunity applies to your decisions Taught by Chief @ChiefShughes and Attorney Bob Meader, bringing over four decades of combined supervisory and command-level experience. 26CPT351 – 8 hours Assignment-Based Training Cost: $200 Register here: objectivelyreasonable.com/seminars/comma…

On March 20, 2026, O.R.C. 3796 became effective. This new statute modified the Recreational Marijuana law. The question is simple: is your agency operating on current law… or outdated assumptions? If you would like to learn more what better date to learn than 4-20? On Monday April 20, 2026 I will present the new statute and discuss enforcement challenges to keep officers and agencies from having evidence suppressed at Hamilton Police. We will also discuss citizen tipsters, arrest warrants, domestic violence, protection orders and much more! CPT approved for eight hours 26CPT413. Get current. Stay protected. Train accordingly. Register: objectivelyreasonable.com/classes/patrol…

Does a Three-Day Delay in Service of a Search Warrant on a Hotel Room Become Stale if Room #220 was a Secure Operational Base for Narcotics Sales? U.S. v. Lawrence is important because it reinforces that probable cause for a search warrant does not become stale simply due to the passage of a few days when officers establish an ongoing drug-trafficking operation through controlled buys and surveillance. The case confirms that courts will treat repeated drug sales tied to a specific location as evidence of a continuing criminal enterprise – from a secure operational base, allowing judges to reasonably infer that drugs, proceeds and paraphernalia will still be present. #HardestJobInAmerica #Law #Police objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/04/10/doe…

Can Two Occupants of a Hotel Room Constructive Possess Methamphetamine at the Same Time? State v. Richardson is important because it reinforces that constructive possession – based on dominion and control over a location – can be proven through circumstantial evidence without drugs being discovered in a hotel room.  Richardson also highlights that joint occupancy of a hotel room can establish circumstantial evidence for possession of contraband. #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/04/06/can…

Today, @ChiefShughes and I were honored to present Legally Confident - Tactically Confident to Norwood Police. Making THE #HardestJobInAmerica ... easier. Evaluations "Great material and explanation as always. Scott and Bob are very passionate about their topics and presented all materials today exceptionally." "I appreciate the brining in two good presenters who clearly care about our safety, both physical and legal." "It’s good to have this every year. This seems to be the best way of being exposed and taught the new laws, case law, and how to incorporate it into what we are seeing on a day to day basis." Thank you team! Next opportunities to attend Command-Ready for Ohio law enforcement leaders: April 22 - Norwood April 27 - Madison Township - Franklin County May 1 - Boardman June 16 - Lancaster June 24 - Holmes County September 9 - Avon objectivelyreasonable.com/seminars/comma…

Is your agency’s training protecting you from liability today… or exposing you based on outdated case law? Every shift, officers are making split-second decisions in THE #HardestJobInAmerica: • Traffic stops • Investigative detentions • Vehicle searches • Use of force • Miranda and interrogations • Warrantless entry Every one of those decisions is being evaluated under current Ohio and Sixth Circuit case law—not outdated case law. Join me for an upcoming Patrol Legal Updates class built specifically for officers and leaders working the road. 📍 Hamilton Police Department 📅Monday, April 20, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 💰$200 🎓Approved for 8 Hours CPT (26CPT413) Register: objectivelyreasonable.com/classes/patrol… This is not academic theory. This is practical, street-level legal training focused on reducing suppression issues, civil liability and preventable mistakes.

Can Being Voluntarily Intoxicated on Methamphetamine, THC Edibles, Xanax and Beer Defeat the ‘Knowingly’ Element of Aggravated Burglary? State v. Cherry is important because it reinforces that, under Ohio law, voluntary intoxication does not negate the culpable mental state required for aggravated burglary. #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/04/03/can…

@ChiefShughes Thank you Chief. Look forward to our next class our Command Ready for Ohio law enforcement leaders on April 22 in Norwood objectivelyreasonable.com/classes/comman…

Great work, @ObjectivelyRea! Keep leading the way in training #ohio law enforcement officers!

Can a Canine Certification in October be used to Establish the Canine was Certified Three Months Earlier? State v. Murphy made clear that credible testimony establishing continuous certification can bridge gaps or confusion in certification paperwork.  Even though the certification document post-dated the traffic stop, the handler’s testimony proved the dog had already been certified and remained continuously certified with no lapse. objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/03/27/can… #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law

Today, I was honored to present the Canine Legal Update class to host Middleburg Police and many other officers, deputies and troopers from throughout Ohio. Making THE #HardestJobInAmerica ... easier. Evaluation excerpts: "Probably one of the best trainings I've been to. I have learned a lot from today that will definitely change how Ido things on the road." "Anyone who is in Law Enforcement needs to take a Bob Meader class, especially for those in specialtypositions. He keeps you engaged in the material and and covers case law vital to our success." "These classes help officers learn more than normal CPT. Bobs in person classes should be apart of required CPT" Thank you team! Next Canine Legal Update class: November 17, 2026 in Avon objectivelyreasonable.com/classes/canine… Today's class sold out. I encourage canine officers to speak to an attendee from today's class. Who are THE most important canine officers in the State of Ohio? Those who were not in class today! I was honored to have Officer Nick Spronz in class who had his Constructive Possession case evaluated and upheld by the Eighth District Appellate Court. He earned an Objectively Reasonable Book! objectivelyreasonable.com/2025/11/07/doe… #Police #Law #GavelTravels

Does Staying with a First Cousin for Two Weeks Qualify Someone as a ‘Family or Household Member’ for a Domestic-Violence Charge? State v. Cortez reinforces how broadly Ohio’s domestic-violence statute protects victims — especially when the “family or household member” element is based on blood relationship and prior co-residence that only lasted two weeks. objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/03/23/doe… #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law

Today @ChiefShughes and I were honored to present Legally Confident - Tactically Confident to host Summit County Metro Parks and many NE Ohio agencies. Making THE #HardestJobInAmerica ... easier. Evaluation excerpts Chief Scott Hughes: "A very engaging and professional presenter. Super knowledgeable and would love for everyone in law enforcement to have him as their Chief!" "I appreciate the emphasis on the fundamentals and going back to the basics. He gave several real world examples with good context." "I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation, but specifically about the fundamentals. Although I have 9 years of LE experience, I know that I need to be reminded on a regular basis." Bob Meader "Mr. Meader’s enthusiasm made the day fly by. The topics were well explained and I gained a lot of new legal knowledge." "Bob is super knowledgeable presents challenging topics in a manner that all can understand. You can tell he knows the material!" "Covered topics and laws that apply to officers daily interactions or calls. Explained laws in way that was easy to understand." Both "This course would be the 3rd of 4th Legally Confident Tactically Confident course I have taken in the last 2 years. It is no doubt the most in depth/ information course I take every year as LEO. Both Chief Hughes and Bob Meader are phenomenal speakers, making it easy to understand the information they are teaching.Thank you both for another great class." Thank you team! Next opportunities to attend Command-Ready for Ohio law enforcement leaders: April 22 - Norwood April 27 - Madison Township - Franklin County May 1 - Boardman June 16 - Lancaster June 24 - Holmes County September 9 - Avon objectivelyreasonable.com/seminars/comma…

Police Hiring is very challenging. Retention is tougher. And one mistake by a leader can turn into a lawsuit that costs your city—and your team. Police leadership matter more than ever. Field Training Officers. Officers in Charge. Sergeants. Command Staff. These teammates are the ones shaping culture, correcting performance, and making decisions that either prevent or create liability. That’s why this class was built. Command Ready: Law. Tactics. Leadership. A CPT-certified course designed specifically for Ohio law enforcement supervisors who want to lead with confidence—and reduce risk. Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Norwood, Ohio Courtyard by Marriott Midtown/Rookwood 3813 Edwards Road This is not theory. This is practical leadership grounded in real incidents, real lawsuits, and real supervisory decisions. You’ll learn how to: • Address unmotivated and underperforming officers • Establish leadership presence that drives accountability and morale • Build an ownership-driven culture within your squad • Navigate use of force investigations • Avoid common supervisory pitfalls tied to civil liability • Prevent failures in supervision and training • Understand how qualified immunity applies to your decisions Taught by Chief @ChiefShughes and Attorney Bob Meader, bringing over four decades of combined supervisory and command-level experience. 26CPT351 – 8 hours Assignment-Based Training Cost: $200 Chiefs: send your supervisors. Supervisors: share this with your leadership. Register here: objectivelyreasonable.com/classes/comman…

Does Probable Cause from Yesterday Become Stale Today … Prohibiting a Search Incident to Arrest? State v. Clark, is important because the court reaffirmed that probable cause to arrest for a felony such as a controlled drug buy observed the day before does not become stale simply because some time has passed before the arrest occurs. #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/03/20/doe…

Is it Reasonable Corporal Punishment for a Grandmother to Stun-Gun a Fifteen Year in the Chest During a Mental Health Crisis? State v. Buffy Webster clarifies how Ohio courts analyze domestic violence relationships, reasonable corporal punishment and the self-defense claims involving juveniles. #HardestJobInAmerica #Police #Law objectivelyreasonable.com/2026/03/16/is-…