BARKETT, Circuit Judge:
In this interlocutory appeal, Willie Archie, James E. Dean, Stacey L. Green, and Tony Anderson, all Florida State Corrections Officers, appeal the denial of their motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity on the claim brought by David C. Skrtich under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging a violation of his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights when he was subjected to an excessive and unjustified use of force while incarcerated at Florida State Prison. In addition, Timothy A. Thornton and Jason P. Griffis, both Florida State Corrections Officers, appeal the denial of their motion to dismiss based on qualified immunity in the same action.
DISCUSSION
I. Denial of Summary Judgment to Anderson, Archie, Dean and Green.
We review de novo a district court’s ruling on summary judgment, applying the same legal standards as the district court. See Whatley v. CNA Ins. Cos., 189 F.3d 1310, 1313 (11th Cir.1999). Summary judgment is appropriate only when the evidence before the court demonstrates that “there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). The evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Augusta Iron and Steel Works, Inc. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau, 835 F.2d 855, 856 (11th Cir.1988). On review of a district court’s denial of summary judgment, the Court considers the pleadings, depositions, affidavits, answers to interrogatories and admissions together with the affidavits if any, and views those facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. The only evidence before the judge on summary judgment was the deposition of Skrtich and Skrtieh’s prison and medical records. Based thereupon, the facts in the record, which at this point are undisputed, viewed in the light most favorable to Skrtich, indicate the following. On January 13, 1998, Skrtich was incarcerated at Florida State Prison when officers Anderson, Thornton, Griffis, Archie, Dean and Green were called to Skrtich’s cell to perform a “cell extraction” because he had refused to vacate his cell so it could be searched. Skrtich was on “close management status” due to his history of disciplinary problems. The prison records set out his disciplinary problems, including a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he had repeatedly stabbed a prison guard. Skrtich had been subject to several cell extractions in the past. Griffis, Archie, Dean and Green arrived at Skrtich’s cell wearing riot gear. At Thornton’s direction, Griffis entered Skrtich’s cell and used an electronic shield to shock Skrtich, knocking him to the floor. According to Skrtich’s deposition, after the electric shock was administered, he was knocked into the wall and fell to the floor. Once on the floor, Skrtich states that he offered no physical resistance and Griffis, Archie and Dean kicked him repeatedly in the back, ribs and side, and Green struck him with his fists. Three times, after falling, Skrtich was lifted onto his knees and the beating continued each time. Thornton and Anderson watched and did nothing to stop the beating. At some point, Thornton verbally threatened Skrtich and actively participated in the assault by knocking Skrtich to the ground several times after [1256]*1256the other officers picked him up and by slamming his head into the wall.1
As a result of his injuries, Skrtieh had to be airlifted by helicopter to a hospital where he remained for nine days and was treated for extensive injuries and spent several months recuperating. The medical records, which are not contested, reflect that Skrtieh had been “the victim of a significant amount of force,” which resulted in (1) left chest trauma with multiple fractures to the left ribs and left hemop-neumothorax, (2) back injury with fractured multiple transverse processes, (3) right scalp laceration, (4) left shoulder and right knee injury, (5) abdominal trauma, and (6) post trauma anemia.2 The records further noted that Skrtich’s chest “[r]e-vealed the presence of an extensive amount of injuries with multiple abrasions and contusions and several markings of shoes on his back and left chest.”3 Dr. Victor Selyutin of Florida State Prison as well as Dr. W.F. Mathews reported “that the shoe impressions on inmate Skrtieh were probably made from a stomping motion as opposed to merely holding him down.”4 Dr. Selyutin further told the Inspector General that, in his opinion, Mr. Skrtich’s injuries were consistent with “physical abuse.”5
When evaluating a claim of qualified immunity, a court must first determine whether the plaintiff has alleged the deprivation of an actual constitutional right, and if so, proceed to determine whether that right was clearly established at the time of the alleged violation. Saucier v. Katz, - U.S. -, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 2154, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001); Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 609, 119 S.Ct. 1692, 143 L.Ed.2d 818 (1999) (internal quotations omitted); see also McElligott v. Foley, 182 F.3d 1248, 1254 (11th Cir.1999). Thus, we first address the question of whether the officers’ actions violated Skrtich’s constitutional rights.
Under the Eighth Amendment, force is deemed legitimate in a custodial setting as long as it is applied “in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline [and not] maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-21, 106 S.Ct. 1078, 89 L.Ed.2d 251 (1986) (quoting Johnson v. Glick, 481 F.2d 1028, 1033 (2d Cir.1973)); see also Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 8, 112 S.Ct. 995, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992). To determine if an application of force was applied maliciously and sadistically to cause harm, a variety of factors are considered including: “the need for the application of force, the relationship between that need and the amount of force used, the threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials, and any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful response.” Hudson, at 7-8, 112 S.Ct. 995; [1257]*1257see also Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. 1078; Harris v. Chapman, 97 F.3d 499, 505 (11th Cir.1996). From consideration of such factors, “inferences may be drawn as to whether the use of force could plausibly have been thought necessary, or instead evinced such wantonness with respect to the unjustified infliction of harm as is tantamount to a knowing willingness that it occur.” Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. 1078 (quoting Johnson, 481 F.2d at 1033). Moreover, an officer who is present at the scene and who fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim of another officer’s use of excessive force, can be held personally liable for his nonfea-sance. See Post v. City of Fort Lauderdale,
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BARKETT, Circuit Judge:
In this interlocutory appeal, Willie Archie, James E. Dean, Stacey L. Green, and Tony Anderson, all Florida State Corrections Officers, appeal the denial of their motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity on the claim brought by David C. Skrtich under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging a violation of his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights when he was subjected to an excessive and unjustified use of force while incarcerated at Florida State Prison. In addition, Timothy A. Thornton and Jason P. Griffis, both Florida State Corrections Officers, appeal the denial of their motion to dismiss based on qualified immunity in the same action.
DISCUSSION
I. Denial of Summary Judgment to Anderson, Archie, Dean and Green.
We review de novo a district court’s ruling on summary judgment, applying the same legal standards as the district court. See Whatley v. CNA Ins. Cos., 189 F.3d 1310, 1313 (11th Cir.1999). Summary judgment is appropriate only when the evidence before the court demonstrates that “there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). The evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Augusta Iron and Steel Works, Inc. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau, 835 F.2d 855, 856 (11th Cir.1988). On review of a district court’s denial of summary judgment, the Court considers the pleadings, depositions, affidavits, answers to interrogatories and admissions together with the affidavits if any, and views those facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. The only evidence before the judge on summary judgment was the deposition of Skrtich and Skrtieh’s prison and medical records. Based thereupon, the facts in the record, which at this point are undisputed, viewed in the light most favorable to Skrtich, indicate the following. On January 13, 1998, Skrtich was incarcerated at Florida State Prison when officers Anderson, Thornton, Griffis, Archie, Dean and Green were called to Skrtich’s cell to perform a “cell extraction” because he had refused to vacate his cell so it could be searched. Skrtich was on “close management status” due to his history of disciplinary problems. The prison records set out his disciplinary problems, including a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he had repeatedly stabbed a prison guard. Skrtich had been subject to several cell extractions in the past. Griffis, Archie, Dean and Green arrived at Skrtich’s cell wearing riot gear. At Thornton’s direction, Griffis entered Skrtich’s cell and used an electronic shield to shock Skrtich, knocking him to the floor. According to Skrtich’s deposition, after the electric shock was administered, he was knocked into the wall and fell to the floor. Once on the floor, Skrtich states that he offered no physical resistance and Griffis, Archie and Dean kicked him repeatedly in the back, ribs and side, and Green struck him with his fists. Three times, after falling, Skrtich was lifted onto his knees and the beating continued each time. Thornton and Anderson watched and did nothing to stop the beating. At some point, Thornton verbally threatened Skrtich and actively participated in the assault by knocking Skrtich to the ground several times after [1256]*1256the other officers picked him up and by slamming his head into the wall.1
As a result of his injuries, Skrtieh had to be airlifted by helicopter to a hospital where he remained for nine days and was treated for extensive injuries and spent several months recuperating. The medical records, which are not contested, reflect that Skrtieh had been “the victim of a significant amount of force,” which resulted in (1) left chest trauma with multiple fractures to the left ribs and left hemop-neumothorax, (2) back injury with fractured multiple transverse processes, (3) right scalp laceration, (4) left shoulder and right knee injury, (5) abdominal trauma, and (6) post trauma anemia.2 The records further noted that Skrtich’s chest “[r]e-vealed the presence of an extensive amount of injuries with multiple abrasions and contusions and several markings of shoes on his back and left chest.”3 Dr. Victor Selyutin of Florida State Prison as well as Dr. W.F. Mathews reported “that the shoe impressions on inmate Skrtieh were probably made from a stomping motion as opposed to merely holding him down.”4 Dr. Selyutin further told the Inspector General that, in his opinion, Mr. Skrtich’s injuries were consistent with “physical abuse.”5
When evaluating a claim of qualified immunity, a court must first determine whether the plaintiff has alleged the deprivation of an actual constitutional right, and if so, proceed to determine whether that right was clearly established at the time of the alleged violation. Saucier v. Katz, - U.S. -, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 2154, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001); Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 609, 119 S.Ct. 1692, 143 L.Ed.2d 818 (1999) (internal quotations omitted); see also McElligott v. Foley, 182 F.3d 1248, 1254 (11th Cir.1999). Thus, we first address the question of whether the officers’ actions violated Skrtich’s constitutional rights.
Under the Eighth Amendment, force is deemed legitimate in a custodial setting as long as it is applied “in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline [and not] maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-21, 106 S.Ct. 1078, 89 L.Ed.2d 251 (1986) (quoting Johnson v. Glick, 481 F.2d 1028, 1033 (2d Cir.1973)); see also Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 8, 112 S.Ct. 995, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992). To determine if an application of force was applied maliciously and sadistically to cause harm, a variety of factors are considered including: “the need for the application of force, the relationship between that need and the amount of force used, the threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials, and any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful response.” Hudson, at 7-8, 112 S.Ct. 995; [1257]*1257see also Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. 1078; Harris v. Chapman, 97 F.3d 499, 505 (11th Cir.1996). From consideration of such factors, “inferences may be drawn as to whether the use of force could plausibly have been thought necessary, or instead evinced such wantonness with respect to the unjustified infliction of harm as is tantamount to a knowing willingness that it occur.” Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. 1078 (quoting Johnson, 481 F.2d at 1033). Moreover, an officer who is present at the scene and who fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim of another officer’s use of excessive force, can be held personally liable for his nonfea-sance. See Post v. City of Fort Lauderdale, 7 F.3d 1552, 1560 (11th Cir.1993), as amended, 14 F.3d 583 (11th Cir.1994) (“A police officer has a duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.”); Byrd v. Clark, 783 F.2d 1002, 1007 (11th Cir.1986) (“if a police officer, whether supervisory or not, fails or refuses to intervene when a constitutional violation such as an unprovoked beating takes place in his presence, the officer is directly liable under Section 1983”); Fundiller v. City of Cooper City, 777 F.2d 1436, 1441-42 (11th Cir.1985) (“an officer who is present at the scene and who fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim of another officer’s use of excessive force, can be held liable for his nonfeasance”); Harris v. Chanclor, 537 F.2d 203, 206 (5th Cir.1976)6 (“a supervisory officer is liable under [Section] 1983 if he refuses to intervene where his subordinates are beating an inmate in his presence”).
The undisputed evidence in this record reflected that Skrtich had been electrically shocked to render him unable to resist and then kicked, punched and beaten. In the absence of any evidence that any force, much less the force alleged here, was necessary to maintain order or restore discipline, Skrtich’s Eighth Amendment rights were violated.
Having determined that the officers’ alleged beating violated Skrtich’s Eighth Amendment rights, pursuant to Saucier, we must now consider whether qualified immunity nonetheless bars liability. Qualified immunity protects government officials acting within their discretionary functions from liability for civil damages as long as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights that a reasonable person would have known. Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982); Rogers v. Miller, 57 F.3d 986, 988 (11th Cir.1995). There is no dispute that the appellants were acting within the scope of their discretionary authority, thus, the only question is-whether the appellants’ alleged actions violated clearly established constitutional law. Rich v. Dollar, 841 F.2d 1558, 1563-64 (11th Cir.1988). In determining whether qualified immunity bars Skrtich’s claim, we do not look at the subjective intent of the officers. Rather, “[t]he relevant, disposi-tive inquiry in determining whether a right is clearly established is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Saucier, 121 S.Ct. at 2156.
Skrtich does not challenge the officers’ use of the electronic shield, which knocked him to the ground, conceding that some degree of force was lawful in light of his noncompliance with the officers’ order to submit to handcuffing so that the officers could search his cell. Skrtich only [1258]*1258challenges the assault that occurred after he had been incapacitated by the shock of the electronic shield. Thus, the question for qualified immunity analysis is whether, at the time of the incident, it was clearly established that it was unlawful to inflict a beating upon a prisoner in custody when he is incapacitated and no longer able to pose a threat to the guards’ ability to maintain order, resist the guards’ directions, or engage in disruptive behavior. We answer that question in the affirmative. By 1998, our precedent clearly established that government officials may not use gratuitous force against a prisoner who has been already subdued or, as in this case, incapacitated. See Harris v. Chapman, 97 F.3d 499, 505-06 (11th Cir.1996); Davis v. Locke, 936 F.2d 1208, 1212-13 (11th Cir.1991); Williams v. Cash-C.O.I., 836 F.2d 1318, 1320 (1988); Perry v. Thompson, 786 F.2d 1093 (11th Cir.1986). These cases contained facts very similar to the facts presented in this case on the unlawful infliction of force on nonresisting prisoners.7 The specific circumstances facing the prison guards, specifically, a non-compliant inmate who had been restrained by the guards and no longer posed a threat, were enough like the facts in precedent that no reasonable, similarly situated official could believe that the factual differences between this line of precedent and the circumstances here [1259]*1259might make a difference to the conclusion about whether the official’s conduct was lawful and we find no merit to the defendant officers’ arguments claiming entitlement to qualified immunity.
First, the defendants argue that force was necessary in this case because Skrtich was uncooperative and refused to comply with orders to submit to standard handcuffing procedure. They also argue that they had reason to be especially wary in their interactions with Skrtich given his “close-management status”, a status reserved for prisoners with disciplinary problems.8 In the context of Skrtich’s history, defendants argue, the use of force was reasonably believed to be necessary to maintain order in the. prison. While Skrtich’s history may have warranted the officers in undertaking extra precautions in performing the cell extraction, the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to Skrtich, is that once Skrtich was shocked with the shield, Skrtich was incapacitated. It is not constitutionally permissible for officers to administer a beating as punishment for a prisoner’s past misconduct.
The defendant-officers next contend that because there is no case in which excessive force was used in the context of a cell extraction, prison guards are completely insulated from federal liability for any and all excessive force used in cell extractions. The fact that the beating took place in the context of a cell extraction does not materially distinguish this case from our precedent. The facts, viewed in the light most favorable to Skrtich, demonstrated that Skrtich was incapacitated by the shock from the electronic shield. The argument that beating a prisoner for noncompliance with a guard’s orders after the prisoner had ceased to disobey or resist turns the “clearly established law” of excessive force on its head and changes the purpose of qualified immunity in excessive force cases from one of protection for the legitimate use of force into a shield for clearly illegal conduct. The law of excessive force in this country is that a prisoner cannot be subjected to gratuitous or disproportionate force that has no object but to inflict pain. Whitley, 475 U.S. at 320-21, 106 S.Ct. 1078. This is so whether the prisoner is in a cell, prison yard, police car, in handcuffs oh the side of the road, or in any other custodial setting.9 The use of force must [1260]*1260stop when the need for it to maintain or restore discipline no longer exists. Id. The law was clearly established long before the defendants acted that correctional officers could not use force maliciously or sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm. Whitley, 475 U.S. at 320-21, 106 S.Ct. 1078.
The Supreme Court has made it clear in Hudson that the same standard applies to all prison excessive force claims. Any reasonable official understands the contour of this right. Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S.Ct. 995. In this ease, Skritch claims that after he was rendered inert by the electric shock and was not resisting, indeed not capable of resisting, the officers administered a severe beating with no other purpose than the infliction of pain. Should Skrtich prove his version of the facts, these officers who collectively administered or failed to intervene in this beating are not entitled to qualified immunity.
We also find meritless and summarily reject appellants’ argument in this case that they are entitled to qualified immunity under the doctrine that a “de minimis” use of force does not support a claim of excessive force. Harris v. Chapman, 97 F.3d at 505 (citing Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7-8, 112 S.Ct. 995). Although a de minimis use of force cannot support a claim for excessive use of force, the injuries Skrtich suffered, which is one factor to consider in determining the excessiveness of the force used, see Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S.Ct. 995, included multiple rib fractures, back injuries, lacerations to the scalp, and abdominal injuries requiring hospitalization for nine days and rehabilitation for months and could hardly be the result of a de minimis application of force. Moreover, we reject the argument that the force administered by each defendant in this collective beating must be analyzed separately to determine which of the defendants blows, if any, used excessive force. The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to Skrtich, is that the cell extraction team, including Archie, Dean and Green, acted in concert to administer the beating which resulted in undisputably severe injuries requiring Skrtich to be flown to a hospital, while Anderson watched from outside the cell. “It is not necessary that a police officer actually participate in the use of excessive force in order to be held liable under section 1983. Rather, an officer who is present at the scene and who fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim of another officer’s use of excessive force, can be held liable for his nonfeasance.” Fundiller v. City of Cooper City, 777 F.2d 1436, 1441-42 (11th Cir.1985) (finding that arrestee had stated a claim for relief for unlawful use of force against officers who, instead of rendering aid to a suspect who had been shot five times by an officer, officers dragged suspect from his car, placed him face down on the ground, and shackled his hands behind him, exacerbating his wounds). On this record, the district court [1261]*1261properly concluded that the officers were not entitled to qualified immunity and properly denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
II. Denial of motion to dismiss
Turning to the claims of Thornton and Griffis that the district court erred in denying their motion to dismiss on the basis of qualified immunity, we first consider Skrtich’s argument that we need not reach the substantive question of whether his complaint can withstand a motion to dismiss based upon a defense of qualified immunity because the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not permit successive Rule 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss and because defendants’ filing of their third motion to dismiss while the motion for summary judgment on qualified immunity was pending constituted an abuse of the court process.
The first pleading filed by all defendants in this ease was a motion to dismiss on October 4, 1999, asserting only that the plaintiff had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. Before the court ruled, Skrtich filed a First Amended Complaint on October 25, 1999, solely to add a state law claim. All defendants then filed a second motion to dismiss, again raising the ground that the plaintiff had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies, and adding that the court should not accept jurisdiction over the state law claim if the federal claim was dismissed. Qualified immunity was not mentioned in either the first or the second motion to dismiss. The second motion to dismiss was denied on December 16,1999.
On January 24, 2000, all of the defendants in this case filed their answer to the Amended Complaint. The answer did not set forth any affirmative defenses and did not mention qualified immunity in any way. On April 28, 2000, two days after Skrtich was deposed, an Amended Answer for all defendants was filed which alleged for the first time the affirmative defense of qualified immunity. On June 5, 2000, all of the defendants then filed a motion for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity. Prior to the hearing on summary judgment, however, Thornton and Griffis withdrew from the motion for summary judgment. More than one month later they filed their third motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6).10
Qualified immunity is an affirmative defense to personal liability, which must be pled, and if it is not, it is deemed waived. Moore v. Morgan, 922 F.2d 1553 (11th Cir.1991). However, qualified immunity can be plead at various stages in a case. This Circuit has held that qualified immunity is a question of law that may be generally asserted (1) on a pretrial motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim; (2) as an affirmative defense in the request for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c); (3) on a summary judgment motion pursuant to Rule 56(e); or (4) at trial. Ansley v. Heinrich, 925 F.2d 1339, 1341 (11th Cir.1991). [1262]*1262However, all these pleadings must conform to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In this case, because a responsive pleading, an answer, had been filed, under the plain language of Rule 12(b), a motion to dismiss would have been inappropriate. Rule 12(b) provides that all defenses must be asserted in either (1) a responsive pleading, or (2) by motion under Rule 12(b) before interposing a responsive pleading if one is due. Furthermore, Rule 12(g) specifically prohibits a party that has previously filed a motion to dismiss from filing a second pre-answer motion to dismiss raising an omitted defense that could have been presented in the first motion to dismiss, “except a motion as provided in subdivision (h)(2) hereof on any of the grounds there stated.” Subdivision (h)(2) provides:
A defense of failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, a defense of failure to join a party indispensable under Rule 19, and an objection of failure to state a legal defense to a claim may be made in any pleading permitted or ordered under Rule 7(a), or by a motion for judgment on the pleadings, or at the trial on the merits.
In this case, the motion to dismiss asserting qualified immunity was filed more than three months after their answer had been filed and after two prior motions to dismiss, both of which had omitted this defense and both of which had been denied. The question before this Court now is whether, under these circumstances, defendants should be permitted to raise qualified immunity in this fashion or whether they have waived it as a defense until trial.
In Guzman-Rivera v. Rivera-Cruz, 98 F.3d 664 (1st Cir.1996), the First Circuit was similarly confronted with an untimely defense of qualified immunity. The defendant in Guzman-Rivera waited far into the litigation to assert the defense in its third motion for summary judgment. The court then concluded that, “[T]he defense of qualified immunity [has] been waived for the current stage of the litigation: the defense has been available to defendants since early in the litigation and, as the district court correctly found, the plaintiff has been prejudiced by the defendants’ intentional strategy of delay.” The potential for abusive delays or manipulative uses of qualified immunity claims is clear, as a defendant can raise the defense at various stages of litigation and a denial of the defense at any of these stages generally entitles a defendant to an immediate appeal. English v. Dyke, 23 F.3d 1086, 1089 (6th Cir.1994). Defendants who abuse the pretrial process through such stalling, however, may waive their right to raise the defense at the pretrial stage. Id.; see also Guzman-Rivera, 98 F.3d at 667-68; Apostol v. Gallion, 870 F.2d 1335, 1339 (7th Cir.1989) (defendants may waive or forfeit their right not to be tried if they use claims of immunity in a manipulative fashion). The onfy possible reason for these defendants to have filed an answer, withdrawn their motion for summary judgment after Skrtich’s deposition had been taken, and then filed a third motion to dismiss is delay. Rule 12 does not permit legal tactics employed only for delay and we cannot endorse them.11 Moreover, as Skrtich [1263]*1263notes, if a complaint is deemed deficient, it is late in the lawsuit for plaintiffs to correct or amplify allegations in the Complaint, necessitating more motions and amended answers.
Under the circumstances in this case, we find that Thornton and Griffis’ third motion to dismiss was improper and should have been dismissed by the district court. Although there may be instances where qualified immunity may be permitted in a third Rule 12 motion, we do not find the circumstances here to be one of them.12 For the foregoing reasons, the district court’s denial of the motion for summary judgement and motion to dismiss is
AFFIRMED.