District Police Departments Use of forcible means When on duty,
the police have the right in certain situations to use forcible
means that can be considered justifiable. In determining this
justifiability, the factors considered include the importance
and urgency of the duty, the dangerousness of the resistance
being shown and the available resources. The police are entitled
to use forcible means in order to Only the minimum necessary
force is used. The lock to an apartment, for example, will not
be broken unless this is urgently required. Instead, the police
will acquire a key with which entry can be made without causing
any damage. Use of force is permitted in all types of police
duties. While it is most commonly used in uniformed police
duties, force may also be used by other police officers when,
for example, apprehending offenders. Police officers, as indeed
anyone else, also have the right of self-defence. Back | Print
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