NCJ Number
39247
Journal
Officier de police Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1976) Pages: 12-24
Date Published
1976
Length
13 pages
Annotation
IN THIS SPEECH, A DEPUTY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR OUTLINES THE CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING OR NECESSITATING THE USE OF FORCE BY A POLICE OFFICER.
Abstract
IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE USE OF FORCE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND THAT POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND SELF CONTROL IN RESISTING PROVOCATION. SPECIFIC INSTANCES ARE CITED AS ILLUSTRATION. A DISTINCTION IS ALSO DRAWN BETWEEN LEGITIMATE USE OF FORCE AND SELF DEFENSE, WITH ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN SELF DEFENSE ONLY BEING REQUIRED TO BE IN PROPORTION TO AN UNLAWFUL ATTACK. THE USE OF A FIREARM IS RESERVED AS A LAST RESORT IN SITUATIONS WHERE THIRD PARTIES WOULD NOT BE ENDANGERED, THE OFFICER HAS IDENTIFIED HIMSELF, AND A SERIOUS OFFENSE HAS BEEN COMMITTED. --IN FRENCH...ELW