What does "qualified immunity" provide for police officers?

Qualified immunity serves as a legal doctrine that protects police officers and other government officials from civil liability when they perform their duties, provided that their actions do not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights. Essentially, it allows officers to perform their work without the threat of being sued personally, as long as they are not acting in a way that breaches established law.

This protection is intended to allow officers to make decisions in high-pressure situations without the fear of subsequent litigation as long as those decisions do not infringe upon established rights that a reasonable person would know. It does not grant complete immunity from all legal actions or allow the use of force without accountability; officers can still be held liable for violations of rights that are clearly established. Additionally, it does not exempt officers from following their department's policies, as those policies are part of the established legal framework they are meant to uphold. Thus, the correct answer reflects the limited and specific circumstances under which qualified immunity applies.