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4. Police power and rights
 
  Article 23-Rights of arms and force  
23.1 Rights of arms and force  
  One of the most controversial, yet one of the most important rights and powers of the police is the right of arms and the use of force where deemed necessary.  
  The right of arms is a right for the protection and safety of society against dangerous offences and in the protection and personal safety of law enforcement officials in the conduct of their profession.  
  The lawful use of force is also an important power, for without such authorisation, police officers themselves could be charged with regular criminal offences of injury.  
23.2 The good judgment of applying force  
  It is a professional duty of all police officers to apply good judgment in the use of force, only when necessary and to refrain from the unjustified or reckless application of force against a person for no valid reason.  
  While the circumstances leading to an unwarranted use of force may provide some justifiable reason for the anger of a police officer towards a suspect, a police officer is not allowed to apply force unless it is in the execution of a duty and is justified at that moment.  
  Unjustified force upon a person causing injury can bring a police officer into being liable for a criminal offence and therefore potentially suspension and dishonourable discharge from the police force.  
     
 
 

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