Opinion ID: 4551702
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Officer Miller

Text: The district court denied qualified immunity to Officer Miller on the basis that the record left open the possibility that Officer Miller witnessed Officer Clarke’s takedown of Lennox. The district court reasoned, “issues of fact exist as to whether Officer Miller had actual knowledge of Officer Clarke’s use of force against Lennox and disregarded a reasonable opportunity to intervene on her behalf,” Special App. at 14, and on that basis ruled that Officer Miller was not entitled to qualified immunity. While we recognize the existence of disputed facts as to Officer Miller’s knowledge of Officer Clarke’s actions, we disagree with the district court’s ultimate holding. “A police officer is under a duty to intercede and prevent fellow officers from subjecting a citizen to excessive force, and may be held liable for his failure to do so if he observes the use of force and has sufficient time to act to prevent it.” Figueroa v. Mazza, 825 F.3d 89, 106 (2d Cir. 2016). “In order for liability to attach, there must have been a realistic opportunity to intervene to prevent the harm from occurring.” Anderson v. Branen, 17 F.3d 552, 557 (2d Cir. 1994). There is no dispute that at the time Officer Clarke used force against Lennox, Officer Miller was engaged in crowd control. Even assuming that Officer Miller observed Officer 17 Clarke’s use of force, there is no evidence in the record that would suggest he had a realistic opportunity to intervene that he then disregarded. Nor do we know of any clearly established law that would require him to abandon his crowd control duties and intervene to stop Officer Clarke’s use of force. Thus, Officer Miller was entitled to summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity, and we reverse the judgment as to him.