Применение огнестрельного оружия сотрудниками полиции: Статья 23. Закон о Полиции N 3-ФЗ от 07.02.2011

Ст. 23 закона о полиции. Федеральный закон от 07.02.2011 N 3-ФЗ (ред. от 06.02.2020)

1. Сотрудник полиции имеет право лично или в составе подразделения (группы) применять огнестрельное оружие в следующих случаях:

1) для защиты другого лица либо себя от посягательства, если это посягательство сопряжено с насилием, опасным для жизни или здоровья;

2) для пресечения попытки завладения огнестрельным оружием, транспортным средством полиции, специальной и боевой техникой, состоящими на вооружении (обеспечении) полиции;

3) для освобождения заложников;

4) для задержания лица, застигнутого при совершении деяния, содержащего признаки тяжкого или особо тяжкого преступления против жизни, здоровья или собственности, и пытающегося скрыться, если иными средствами задержать это лицо не представляется возможным;

5) для задержания лица, оказывающего вооруженное сопротивление, а также лица, отказывающегося выполнить законное требование о сдаче находящихся при нем оружия, боеприпасов, взрывчатых веществ, взрывных устройств, ядовитых или радиоактивных веществ;

6) для отражения группового или вооруженного нападения на здания, помещения, сооружения и иные объекты государственных и муниципальных органов, общественных объединений, организаций и граждан;

7) для пресечения побега из мест содержания под стражей подозреваемых и обвиняемых в совершении преступлений или побега из-под конвоя лиц, задержанных по подозрению в совершении преступления, лиц, в отношении которых применена мера пресечения в виде заключения под стражу, лиц, осужденных к лишению свободы, а также для пресечения попытки насильственного освобождения указанных лиц.

2. Вооруженным сопротивлением и вооруженным нападением, указанными в пунктах 5 и 6 части 1 настоящей статьи, признаются сопротивление и нападение, совершаемые с использованием оружия любого вида, либо предметов, конструктивно схожих с настоящим оружием и внешне неотличимых от него, либо предметов, веществ и механизмов, при помощи которых могут быть причинены тяжкий вред здоровью или смерть.

3. Сотрудник полиции также имеет право применять огнестрельное оружие:

1) для остановки транспортного средства путем его повреждения, если управляющее им лицо отказывается выполнить неоднократные требования сотрудника полиции об остановке и пытается скрыться, создавая угрозу жизни и здоровью граждан;

2) для обезвреживания животного, угрожающего жизни и здоровью граждан и (или) сотрудника полиции;

3) для разрушения запирающих устройств, элементов и конструкций, препятствующих проникновению в жилые и иные помещения по основаниям, предусмотренным статьей 15 настоящего Федерального закона;

4) для производства предупредительного выстрела, подачи сигнала тревоги или вызова помощи путем производства выстрела вверх или в ином безопасном направлении;

5) для пресечения нахождения беспилотных воздушных судов в воздушном пространстве в целях, предусмотренных пунктом 40 части 1 статьи 13 настоящего Федерального закона, если иными средствами прекратить их нахождение в воздушном пространстве не представляется возможным.

4. Сотрудник полиции имеет право применять служебное огнестрельное оружие ограниченного поражения во всех случаях, предусмотренных частями 1 и 3 настоящей статьи, а также в случаях, предусмотренных пунктами 3, 4, 7 и 8 части 1 статьи 21 настоящего Федерального закона.

5. Запрещается применять огнестрельное оружие с производством выстрела на поражение в отношении женщин, лиц с явными признаками инвалидности, несовершеннолетних, когда их возраст очевиден или известен сотруднику полиции, за исключением случаев оказания указанными лицами вооруженного сопротивления, совершения вооруженного или группового нападения, угрожающего жизни и здоровью граждан или сотрудника полиции.

6. Сотрудник полиции не имеет права применять огнестрельное оружие при значительном скоплении граждан, если в результате его применения могут пострадать случайные лица.

Правовые основы применения оружия и спецсредств

Случаи, в которых сотрудники органов внутренних дел вправе применить огнестрельное оружие, определены Федеральным Законом «О полиции».

Согласно статистике, в Карелии не часто возникают ситуации, когда полицейские вынуждены открыть огонь. Чаще всего оружие применяется для остановки транспортного средства, водитель которого игнорирует требование остановиться и, пытаясь скрыться, создает угрозу жизни и здоровью граждан.

В соответствии со ст.23 Федерального закона от 07.02.2011 N 3-ФЗ (ред. от 27.12.2019) «О полиции» сотрудники полиции вправе применять оружие в следующих случаях:

1) для защиты другого лица либо себя от посягательства, если это посягательство сопряжено с насилием, опасным для жизни или здоровья;

2) для пресечения попытки завладения огнестрельным оружием, транспортным средством полиции, специальной и боевой техникой, состоящими на вооружении (обеспечении) полиции;

3) для освобождения заложников;

4) для задержания лица, застигнутого при совершении деяния, содержащего признаки тяжкого или особо тяжкого преступления против жизни, здоровья или собственности, и пытающегося скрыться, если иными средствами задержать это лицо не представляется возможным;

5) для задержания лица, оказывающего вооруженное сопротивление, а также лица, отказывающегося выполнить законное требование о сдаче находящихся при нем оружия, боеприпасов, взрывчатых веществ, взрывных устройств, ядовитых или радиоактивных веществ;

6) для отражения группового или вооруженного нападения на здания, помещения, сооружения и иные объекты государственных и муниципальных органов, общественных объединений, организаций и граждан;

7) для пресечения побега из мест содержания под стражей подозреваемых и обвиняемых в совершении преступлений или побега из-под конвоя лиц, задержанных по подозрению в совершении преступления, лиц, в отношении которых применена мера пресечения в виде заключения под стражу, лиц, осужденных к лишению свободы, а также для пресечения попытки насильственного освобождения указанных лиц.

2. Вооруженным сопротивлением и вооруженным нападением, указанными в пунктах 5 и 6 части 1 настоящей статьи, признаются сопротивление и нападение, совершаемые с использованием оружия любого вида, либо предметов, конструктивно схожих с настоящим оружием и внешне неотличимых от него, либо предметов, веществ и механизмов, при помощи которых могут быть причинены тяжкий вред здоровью или смерть.

3. Сотрудник полиции также имеет право применять огнестрельное оружие:

1) для остановки транспортного средства путем его повреждения, если управляющее им лицо отказывается выполнить неоднократные требования сотрудника полиции об остановке и пытается скрыться, создавая угрозу жизни и здоровью граждан;

2) для обезвреживания животного, угрожающего жизни и здоровью граждан и (или) сотрудника полиции;

3) для разрушения запирающих устройств, элементов и конструкций, препятствующих проникновению в жилые и иные помещения по основаниям, предусмотренным статьей 15 настоящего Федерального закона;

4) для производства предупредительного выстрела, подачи сигнала тревоги или вызова помощи путем производства выстрела вверх или в ином безопасном направлении;

5) для пресечения нахождения беспилотных воздушных судов в воздушном пространстве в целях, предусмотренных пунктом 40 части 1 статьи 13 настоящего Федерального закона, если иными средствами прекратить их нахождение в воздушном пространстве не представляется возможным.
(п. 5 введен Федеральным законом от 02.12.2019 N 404-ФЗ)

90000 Use of force, firearms and less lethal weapons 90001 90002 Police officers are frequently required to deal with conflict situations. Many of these are resolved using well-chosen and appropriate words and by managing human interaction. 90003 90002 Others require varying degrees of physical force, including, on occasions, the use of firearms by authorised firearms officers (90005 AFOs 90006). This proportionate response is a well-established and necessary approach to managing conflict in a democratic society.Commanders and 90005 AFOs 90006 are trained to analyse and determine appropriate courses of action in the course of armed deployments. 90003 90002 This module details the general principles for the police use of force, firearms and less lethal weapons, the circumstances when weapons may be discharged, and the accountability of 90005 AFOs 90006 and commanders for their use. The overall context is set out within a human rights framework. 90003 90014 Managing conflict and the use of force 90015 90016 Further information 90017 90002 See legal framework for information on the law and regulations relating to the use of force.90003 90002 The police service approach to managing conflict and the use of force is set out and directed by: 90003 90014 Use of force and firearms 90015 90002 The carriage of firearms by a police officer or the presence of an armed officer does not, in itself, constitute a use of force. 90003 90002 When a police officer makes use of a firearm or less lethal weapon by deliberately pointing it or by discharging the weapon, for example, that will constitute a use of force for which the officer is both legally and organisationally accountable.90003 90002 A police officer will be deemed to have used a firearm or a less lethal weapon when it is: 90003 90030 90031 pointed or aimed at another person 90032 90031 fired at another person 90032 90031 discharged in any other operational circumstances, including an unintentional discharge. 90032 90037 90038 Reasonable force 90039 90002 When police are required to use force to achieve a lawful objective (eg, making a lawful arrest, acting in self-defence or protecting others) all force used must be reasonable in the circumstances.90003 90002 If the force used is not reasonable and proportionate, the officer is open to criminal or misconduct proceedings. It may also constitute a violation of the human rights of the person against whom the force was used. 90003 90038 Factors to assist in establishing whether a use of force is reasonable 90039 90030 90031 Is the use of force lawful? (Ie, is the aim one of those outlines in s3 of the Criminal Law Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act or Common Law?) 90032 90031 Is the degree of force proportionate in the circumstances? 90032 90031 Were other options considered? If so, what were they and why were those options discounted? 90032 90031 Was the method of applying force in accordance with police procedures and training? 90032 90037 90038 90057 UN 90006 basic principles 90039 90002 According to the 90057 UN 90006 Basic Principles on law enforcement and use of force and firearms, law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms.90003 90002 The intended result of police action (referred to in Article 4 of the basic principles) must be a lawful objective. Therefore, police officers must only resort to the use of force or firearms if other means remain ineffective, or there is no realistic prospect of achieving the lawful objective without exposing police officers, or anyone whom it is their duty to protect, to a real risk of harm or injury. 90003 90002 Officers must ensure that they make a record of the event in accordance with force policy, and comply with this 90067 APP 90006 and the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012.90003 90038 Code of Practice 90039 90002 According to Article 2 of the 90057 UN 90006 basic principles governments and law enforcement agencies should develop a range of means as broad as possible and equip law enforcement officials with various types of weapons and ammunition that would allow for a differentiated use of force and firearms . 90003 90002 The College of Policing (2020) Code of Practice on Armed Policing and Police use of Less Lethal Weapons provides the framework in which UK police forces are provided with the types of weapons and ammunition that would allow for a differentiated use of force and firearms.90003 90002 The range of equipment available to police officers includes not only conventional firearms but also other types of less lethal weapons and munitions, some of which may not necessarily fall within the statutory definition of a firearm, but for which stringent standards of competence in their command , deployment and use are required. The Code of Practice applies to all weapons requiring special authorisation, available to police forces now or in the future. 90003 90038 Authority and discretion to use force and firearms 90039 90082 Authorised firearms officers (90005 AFOs 90006) are first and foremost police officers.In exercising the duties of the office of constable they have a personal accountability and responsibility for the protection of life and carrying out duties associated with that office. 90003 90082 In most situations it is the individual 90087 AFO 90006 who must assess the immediacy and proximity of the threat and make an operational decision on whether it is absolutely necessary to discharge a firearm or take other decisive action — see deployment of 90005 AFOs 90006. 90003 90038 Individual responsibility and accountability 90039 90002 Each 90087 AFO 90006 is individually responsible and accountable for their decisions and actions, nothing can absolve them from such responsibility and accountability.This includes decisions to refrain from using force as well as any decisive action taken, including the use of force, the use of a firearm and the use of a less lethal weapon. 90003 90002 90005 AFOs 90006 are answerable, ultimately, to the law in the courts. They must be in a position to justify their decisions and actions based on their honestly held belief as to the circumstances that existed at the time, and their professional and legal responsibilities. See legal framework. 90003 90102 Influencing factors 90103 90002 An 90087 AFO 90006 ‘s appreciation of the critical nature of the situation may be informed by a combination of the following factors: 90003 90030 90031 their observation and assessment of the situation 90032 90031 their perception of any imminent threat 90032 90031 their understanding of the wider police operation 90032 90031 information or intelligence that has been communicated to them 90032 90031 any direction or authorisation given to them.90032 90037 90038 Considerations when the use of force is unavoidable 90039 90002 Law enforcement officials should: 90003 90030 90031 exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved 90032 90031 minimise damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life 90032 90031 ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment 90032 90031 ensure that relatives or close friends of the injured or affected person are notified at the earliest possible moment (Article 5).90032 90037 90014 Less lethal options 90015 90002 90137 NPCC 90006 has researched the issues associated with hierarchical continuums of force and has concluded that they are both operationally and legally inappropriate for adoption by the police service. Less lethal options are selected by officers having considered the capability and limitations of the option in the prevailing circumstances. Many factors will impact on the decision and it is therefore not practical to pre-determine the most appropriate options as part of a continuum of force, ie, to continue each option in strict hierarchy, in terms of an escalation of force, or to use each in turn on that basis until the objective has been achieved.90003 90002 The availability of less lethal options can enable officers to resolve a situation prior to it becoming absolutely necessary to discharge a firearm, in order to save life. 90003 90002 The term ‘less lethal options’ refers to weapons, devices and tactics, developed and used to minimise the need for recourse to conventional firearms. It includes: 90003 90030 90031 less lethal weapons 90032 90031 negotiation 90032 90031 police dogs 90032 90031 barriers to restrict or impede movement 90032 90031 vehicle stopping devices 90032 90031 tactics and devices designed to minimise the risks to a subject 90032 90031 the range of tactical options set out in the 90137 NPCC 90006 Personal Safety Manual (available via NCALT, which is a RESTRICTED online tool with access limited to registered users) and in the 90067 APP 90006 on public order.90032 90037 90002 The police service has a range of firearms, less lethal weapons and technologies each of which have different purposes and characteristics and each may offer unique advantages in specific circumstances. Less lethal options should be considered in all police responses, including counter-terrorist operations. 90003 90038 Less lethal weapons 90039 90002 Less lethal weapons will, where appropriate, be deployed alongside conventional firearms and other less lethal technologies and options available to firearms officers.90016 Less lethal weapons should not be regarded as a substitute for firearms 90017. Officers armed only with less lethal weapons should not, therefore, expose themselves or be exposed to unnecessary risks by confronting subjects who may be armed with a firearm. 90003 90002 As no technology can be guaranteed to be non-lethal, 90173 ACPO 90006, in conjunction with the Home Office, has adopted the term ‘less lethal’ to denote weapons and munitions designed to be used without a substantial risk of serious or permanent injury or death to the subject on whom they are applied.While the actual outcome may, on occasions, be lethal, this outcome is less likely than if conventional firearms are used. 90003 90038 Weapons approval 90039 90002 Only less lethal weapons that have been approved by the secretary of state may be used by the UK police service. The Taser X26 and X2 are the only conducted energy devices currently authorised. The evaluation and assessment processes for such weapons include, where appropriate: 90003 90030 90031 a needs analysis 90032 90031 determination of operational requirement 90032 90031 technical evaluation 90032 90031 medical assessment 90032 90031 operational performance trials.90032 90037 90002 The processes will take into account relevant strategic, ethical, operational and societal issues, including an assessment of environmental factors. 90003 90002 See also guidance on weapons and equipment. 90003 90038 The systems approach 90039 90002 The term less lethal weapons is often used generically. The less lethal aspect does not, however, derive from the weapon or munitions alone but from the weapon system, and it is this which is evaluated on behalf of the secretary of state before the system is authorised for use.Typically, the system includes: 90003 90030 90031 the weapon or launch platform 90032 90031 the sighting system 90032 90031 the munitions 90032 90031 the zeroing instructions 90032 90031 maintenance and storage instructions 90032 90031 90067 APP 90006. 90032 90037 90002 Any change, or addition to any part of the system, can have implications on the less lethal nature of the system and requires operational, technical, and medical re-evaluation before authorisation. 90003 90002 As with all applications of force, there is a potential for unintended serious or even fatal injury, either as a direct result of an application of the weapon system or as a result of secondary injuries, for example, injuries caused by a subject falling.It should, however, be remembered that no weapon system, including conventional firearms, is universally effective and police may have to resort to a combination of tactical responses and use of force options in dealing with a situation. 90003 90014 Command decisions 90015 90002 Commanders and authorised firearms officers (90005 AFOs 90006) are trained to analyse and determine appropriate courses of action in the course of armed deployments. 90003 90002 Commanders and those involved with the assessment of intelligence, provision of tactical advice and relaying of communications will be legally and professionally responsible for decisions that they make and advice, tasking or authorisations that they give.Any advice, tasking or authorisations, and subsequent action, must be ‘reasonable in the circumstances’ and where appropriate the test of ‘absolute necessity’ as required by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights must be met. 90003 90002 Where a commander, on the basis of information and intelligence available to them, considers it necessary to constrain or authorise officers in respect of their use of force, firearms or any less lethal option, it is important that these decisions, and relevant constraints or authorisations, are communicated with clarity and in a timely fashion.90003 90038 Context in which command decisions are made 90039 90082 The context within which command decisions are made and any tasking or authorisations given to 90005 AFOs 90006 may include the: 90003 90030 90031 information available 90032 90031 consequence and scale of the threat being addressed 90032 90031 immediacy of the threat including the assessment of capability and intent of the subject (s) 90032 90031 command structures that are in place 90032 90031 speed at which the situation is developing 90032 90031 tactical options and contingencies available.90032 90037 90038 Access to decisive information 90039 90082 In some situations a commander may have access to decisive information relevant to an imminent threat to life, of which an 90087 AFO 90006 who is operationally deployed would not be aware. A commander may not be able to pass this decisive information to the 90087 AFO 90006 for one or more of three principle reasons: 90003 90258 90031 the danger may be so imminent that there is insufficient time for a commander to fully brief an 90087 AFO 90006 on all available details 90032 90031 a commander may be prevented by law from passing some or all of the information and its source (and therefore its quality and reliability) to the 90087 AFO 90006 90032 90031 the source of the information (and therefore its quality and reliability) may be so confidential that a commander may be unable to pass some or all of the information to the 90087 AFO 90006.90032 90271 90082 In these circumstances it may be necessary for a commander who has access to the whole of the decisive information (the ‘bigger picture’) to constrain or authorise an 90087 AFO 90006. 90003 90002 The authorisation of a critical or a conventional shot is one of the most extreme decisions a commander can take. The circumstances in which a commander will authorise either a critical or a conventional shot are likely to be rare, and commanders must restrict themselves to the limited nature of their role in this regard.90003 90002 In the absence of the circumstances and specific criteria described, the decision to discharge a firearm should be made by an 90087 AFO 90006 who is able to assess the nature and immediacy of a threat based upon what they can see and hear. 90003 90002 Therefore it is only when a commander has information which, for one of the reasons outlined, can not be communicated to the 90087 AFO 90006, that an authorisation will be required if the threat to life is imminent and a shot is absolutely necessary to defend another .In any other circumstance, it is the 90087 AFO 90006 who must decide whether to discharge their firearm or not. 90003 90002 On this basis, the conditional pre-authorisation, or introduction of a tipping point, at which a conventional or critical shot would be automatically authorised by a commander is inappropriate. Such a potentially complex pre-authorisation may not be accurately interpreted and any later redaction, misunderstanding or confusion could result in the unnecessary loss of life and subsequently deemed to be in contravention of the criminal law and 90289 ECHR 90006.90003 90038 Constraint and authorisation of action 90039 90002 Where a commander constrains an 90087 AFO 90006 from discharging a firearm (or from taking other significant action which otherwise the 90087 AFO 90006 might have done in exercising the 90087 AFO 90006 ‘s own independent discretion) the constraint may prevent loss of life or serious harm to others such as hostages or other persons at risk. 90003 90002 An authorisation from a commander to an 90087 AFO 90006 to discharge a firearm or take other decisive action may be necessary where a failure to take such action would result in a loss of life.Such communication is an authorisation to use such force and not an order to do so. This is only likely to be necessary in the most extreme of circumstances, for example: 90003 90030 90031 the 90087 AFO 90006 has limited knowledge of the immediate threat to life 90032 90031 the commander is aware of the immediate threat to life and 90032 90031 the commander is either unable to pass the detail and the quality and reliability of that information to the 90087 AFO 90006 for the reasons given above or if able, any delay caused by attempting to fully brief the 90087 AFO 90006 may place life at immediate risk .90032 90037 90002 Where command decisions are made to constrain or authorise the action of an 90087 AFO 90006, the communication from the commander will form an essential part of an 90087 AFO 90006 ‘s decision making. Any authorisation from a commander to an 90087 AFO 90006 in these circumstances must be communicated with absolute clarity what is being directed or authorised and the action required, including any time imperative. 90003 90082 If a commander decides that as a last resort a critical shot is absolutely necessary in self-defence, which includes the defence of another, a commander will communicate that decision to an 90087 AFO 90006 with the words, «critical shot authorised», and an 90087 AFO 90006 will be entitled to rely on them subject to whatever other information is available, principally that from the scene and that which can be seen by the 90087 AFO 90006.Such a communication is an authorisation to use such force and not an order to do so. 90003 90082 If a commander decides as a last resort that a conventional shot is absolutely necessary in self-defence, which includes the defence of another, a commander will communicate that decision to an 90087 AFO 90006 with the words, «conventional shot authorised», and an 90087 AFO 90006 will be entitled to rely on them subject to whatever other information is available, principally that from the scene and that which can be seen by the 90087 AFO 90006.Such a communication is an authorisation to use force and not an order to do so. » 90003 90082 It will be for the commander who authorises either a critical shot or a conventional shot to later justify the authorisation, and for the 90087 AFO 90006 to explain their individual response and any action taken. Post incident accountability rests with the commander for giving the authorisation, and the 90087 AFO 90006 for their response. For the authorisation or the use of force to be justified and lawful it must be in self-defence, or in defence of another and absolutely necessary.90003 90002 90351 Page last accessed 11 July 2020 90352 90003 .90000 Firearms and Safety | New Zealand Police 90001 90002 Home> Advice & Services> Firearms and Safety 90003 90002 90005 Due to the recent firearms laws changes some firearms-related information is under review. 90003 90007 Firearms and Safety 90008 90002 New Zealand has a high level of firearm ownership and use, with many people enjoying our varied hunting and shooting activities.New Zealand Police is committed to increasing the safe use and storage of firearms, and reducing the number of preventable deaths and injuries involving firearms. 90003 90002 As a firearms user you can take some simple steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, your mates, and your community. 90003 90013 90014 Get to know the Arms Code and ensure you know about the safe use of firearms 90015 90014 Ensure your firearms are safely stored to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands 90015 90018 90002 90005 This website provides helpful information on how you can safely use and store firearms.You can also find out about New Zealand firearms licences, laws, endorsements and import permits for residents, visitors, collectors and dealers. 90003 90002 Custom Summary: 90003 90002 Find out about New Zealand firearms licences (sometimes called gun licences), endorsements and import permits for residents, visitors, collectors and dealers, and the Arms Code 90003 90007 New firearms laws and what they mean 90008 90002 In June 2020 року, the Arms Act was significantly amended.Some of the changes to the Arms Act will come into effect immediately. Others will come into force in six months — December 2020 року, some in 12 month … More 90003 90007 Firearms safety programme 90008 90002 Safety is critical when storing, handling or using a firearm. The Firearms Safety Course will ensure you have a strong understanding of the Arms Code, particularly the seven basic rules of firearms … More 90003 90007 Firearms storage 90008 90002 You are required by law to have a safe and secure place to store your firearms…. More 90003 90007 Arms Code 90008 90002 Effective and active safety instruction is vital for anyone involved with firearms. Learn the Arms Code, particularly the Seven Firearms Safety Rules … More 90003 90007 Hunter safety 90008 90002 Planning, preparation and taking care are important when hunting. The hunter safety content provides valuable material that all hunters and any person going into the outdoors should review in… More 90003 .90000 Countries Where the Police Force Does Not Carry Firearms 90001 90002 By C.L. Illsley on June 12 2018 in Society 90003 90004 Irish police officers do not carry guns.Editorial credit: abd / Shutterstock.com 90005 90002 Crime is a worldwide problem which spans geographical and national borders. The way in which individual countries around the globe deal with domestic criminal activity differs from nation to nation according to an array of factors including considerations such as type of government, cultural traditions and beliefs, as well as individual national crime rates.Although it’s rare in a small number of countries police enforcement officers do not carry firearms while performing their official duties. Rather than relying on guns for protection and enforcement purposes, these unarmed officers rely on various other techniques and resources in order to carry out the task of maintaining law and order. 90003 90008 Cops Without Guns 90009 90002 Crime rates throughout the world vary depending upon a wide variety of complex socio political and economic factors.According to recent crime rate statistics Brazil holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest murder rate in the world. Other countries in the top ten include India, Mexico, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, Colombia, Russia, and Pakistan. When specifically examining murder rates involving the use of a firearm the highest ranking nations are South Africa, Colombia, Slovakia, Thailand, El Salvador, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Albania, Uruguay, and the United States 90003 90002 Unlike in the majority of the world, in a small group of countries, including Ireland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, it is official policy for local law enforcement officers to conduct their duties without carrying a firearm.The governments of countries such as Ireland, for example, believe that their unarmed police forces can are effective because in essence law enforcement is reliant more on moral authority than brute force or access to extensive weaponry. 90003 90014 Ireland 90015 90002 The history of Ireland’s unarmed police force, also known as the Garda Síochána or «the Guards», can be traced back to 1924.After gaining its independence and then enduring a civil war involving the IRA, those in charge of forming Ireland’s police department presumed that the presence of an armed police force would engender feelings of oppression and provoke violence from a still politically divided populace. 90003 90002 Another factor that played an important role in establishing this unarmed police contingent involves the relative scarcity of guns among the general public.Unlike in country’s such as the United States, in Ireland gun control laws are strict with weapons being difficult to acquire. Culturally speaking, guns are not even popular in terms of being items desired by hobbyists nor are firearms generally sought out by citizens for the purpose of personal protection. 90003 90002 At the present time instead of carrying firearms the majority of Irish police officers are equipped with deterrents such as pepper spray and batons.Instances of crimes deemed to be of a violent nature (ie. Murders and assaults) are considered to be relatively rare in Ireland. In fact the Emerald Isle has one of the lowest rates of gun violence and murders by youth in the world. In 2002 for example, only twelve murders using firearms were documented. 90003 90014 Norway 90015 90002 Members of the police force in the northern European country of Norway also do not carry guns while performing their patrol duties.They do, however, have access to firearms which are locked in their patrol cars. Official policy states that the actual arming of these weapons is only to be carried out with permission from the chef of police. Recent national statistics suggest that crime is decreasing throughout Norway. In 2014 the Scandinavian country reported a total of 29 murders. This translates to a murder rate of 0.56 per 100,000 people. 90003 90014 Iceland 90015 90002 Iceland has the smallest population among the five nations which have unarmed police forces.The humble beginnings of this country’s law enforcement department can be traced all the way back to 1778. Although Icelandic police primarily rely on batons and pepper spray while conducting their routine duties, all members of the force are trained in the use of guns. Firearms are usually only issued to members of the Víkingasveitin, or special operations team. Interestingly, despite its long history it was not until 2013 that an Icelandic citizen was actually killed during an armed police operation.90003 90014 New Zealand 90015 90002 In the island nation of New Zealand, law enforcement officers typically carry pepper spray, tasers, and batons. Apart from personnel stationed at the airport as well as members of the Diplomatic Protection Squad, officers do not carry firearms.During the course of the last several years, however, the New Zealand Police Association has made several requests for a revision of the force’s weapons policy with a proposal to include arming members and improving gun training. Currently, however, officers can only access guns from locked boxes stored in their police cars and are required to contact a supervisor in the event that such a weapon is removed from the car. 90003 90014 United Kingdom 90015 90002 In the United Kingdom, polls suggest that individual members of the police force are the biggest proponents of keeping the status quo in terms of remaining unarmed.According to a 2006 survey, 82% of UK police officers preferred to be unarmed while conducting their routine duties. Reasons for this widespread opinion may be due to a traditional view of law enforcement which is founded on the consent of the population. There is also a popular belief that a police officer is more approachable by members of the public if he or she is unarmed. Many in the force believe that the relationship between the police and the community must be based on mutual trust and respect rather than amidst an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that’s so often associated with armed officers.90003 90002 Current statistics show that violent crime in the United Kingdom is at its lowest level in over 30 years. In 1995 року, for example, the number of criminal acts reported nationwide totaled 4,200 while in 2011 this figure was reduced to 1,904. It is also important to point out that gun control laws in the UK are strict with ownership of firearms being highly controlled.90003 90008 Effective Law Enforcement 90009 90002 Police forces across the globe are faced with adopting effective measures suited to combat crime in their native countries. Although most of the world’s police officers are armed, in a small minority of countries, law enforcement personnel have found that alternatives such as batons and pepper spray are effective deterrents while the use of firearms serves as a last choice option.If the violent crime rates in these countries were to rise, however, it would be interesting to see if these unarmed police departments would be forced to evolve (or devolve depending upon your point of view) and adopt more drastic measures including a revision of existing firearms policies. So far, however, in at least five nations, low domestic crime rates seem to illustrate that this unarmed approach to law enforcement seems to be paying off. 90003 90008 Countries Where the Police Force Does Not Carry Firearms 90009 90046 90047 90048 90049 Countries Where Police Do not Carry Guns 90050 90051 90052 90053 90048 90055 Ireland 90056 90051 90048 90055 Norway 90056 90051 90048 90055 Iceland 90056 90051 90048 90055 New Zealand 90056 90051 90048 90055 United Kingdom 90056 90051 90074 90075 Click to Expand .90000 police | Definition, History, Organizations, & Facts 90001 90002 90003 Police 90004, body of officers representing the civil authority of government. Police typically are responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. These functions are known as policing. Police are often also entrusted with various licensing and regulatory activities. 90005 90003 French National Police: patrolling 90004 Officers of the French National Police patrolling a housing project.90008 © Ministère de l’intérieur-DICOM, France 90009 90002 However, police scholars have criticized this popular understanding of the word 90011 police 90012 -that it refers to members of a public organization having the legal competence to maintain order and enforce the law- for two reasons. First, it defines police by their ends rather than by the specific means that they use to achieve their goals. Second, the variety of situations in which police are asked to intervene is much greater than law enforcement and order maintenance.There is now a consensus among researchers, based on a definition first proposed by American sociologist Egon Bittner, that the common feature among all the different agencies engaged in policing is the legal competence to enforce coercive, nonnegotiable measures to resolve problematic situations. Such situations are characterized by two features: their potential for harm and the need to solve them urgently before they develop that potential. Hence, the actual use of coercion or the threat of using it allows police to put a quick, nonnegotiated, and conclusive end to problematic situations (e.g., keeping people away from the scene of a fire for their own protection and to allow firemen to do their job). 90005 90003 French National Police: arresting suspect 90004 Officer of the French National Police arresting a suspect. 90008 © Ministère de l’intérieur-DICOM, France 90009 90002 Following that definition, policing thus may be performed by several different professional organizations: public police forces, private security agencies, the military, and government agencies with various surveillance and investigative powers.The best known of these bodies are the public constabulary forces that patrol public spaces, often in marked cars, and whose members wear a uniform. They are the most visible representatives of the civil authority of government, and they provide the model typically associated with police organizations. However, in many Anglo-Saxon countries-such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States-there are at least twice as many private security agents as public police officers. Furthermore, security and intelligence agencies that generally operate undercover have played an increasingly important role in combating terrorism, especially since the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001.Policing has therefore become a complex undertaking that straddles the traditional institutional and jurisdictional distinctions between public and private, criminal and political. 90005 90003 Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: patrolling 90004 Officers of the Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo, patrolling a train station. 90008 © Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo; all rights reserved, used with permission 90009 90002 This article focuses on the development of public police organizations and of their policing strategies in Anglo-Saxon countries and the countries of continental Europe, particularly France, which developed the original model of centralized policing.Countries in Africa, Asia, and South America are covered to a lesser extent, mainly because relatively little reliable information on their policing systems is available. 90005 Get exclusive access to content from our тисяча сімсот шістьдесят вісім First Edition with your subscription. Subscribe today 90026 Police and society 90027 90002 There is a remarkable historical, geographic, and organizational diversity in the activities of people who are, or have been, defined as police. Police work has developed considerably from what it was centuries ago.As populations grew and informal institutions of socialization and social control-such as the family, schools, and the church-decreased in effectiveness, police became increasingly necessary. However, no uniform worldwide system of policing ever emerged. 90005 90002 Numerous factors help to explain the diversity of police activities and systems. The types of crime typically committed in a society and the methods used by criminals play a great part in determining a police force’s activities. For instance, if criminals use firearms, the police are likely to be armed, or if criminals use computers to commit crimes, the police may establish a special unit dedicated to investigating cybercrimes.History also helps to explain this diversity; e.g., former colonies tend to keep the policing system established by their colonizers. Population plays an important role as well; policing rural areas and villages vastly differs from policing large cities. Foremost among the factors that determine a country’s system of policing, however, are the political culture of the society-e.g., Whether it is open and democratic or closed and totalitarian-and the state’s conception of police accountability. 90005 90026 Policing small communities 90027 90002 Most people willingly obey most laws, whether a police officer is present or not.They comply with the laws because they consider them fair and because they believe that in the long run it is in their interest to observe them. In small communities in which most citizens know each other, people who live up to the community’s shared ideals are rewarded with the esteem of their fellow citizens. If they break the law or fall short of other people’s expectations, their lives often become more difficult because they are shamed, shunned, or ostracized by the rest of the community and are less likely to receive assistance in times of trouble.In all societies this system of informal rewards and punishments is the most potent aid to law enforcement, but it is strongest in small communities. The forces that order life in a small community thus make the task of the police much easier. Police action is needed only when such informal controls have proved insufficient. 90005 90002 This is why rural and sparsely populated areas are often policed ​​by a single centralized-and often militarized-police force, even in countries that have a decentralized police system.A single police organization operating under a unified command is more cost-effective and more operationally efficient than a bevy of independent small-town police forces. Since the territory to cover may be very large and characterized by difficult terrain, police in such regions must have the long-range mobility and adaptability that are characteristic of military forces. In addition, the countryside has historically been policed ​​by military organizations, as police forces were initially created in urban settings.(The great exceptions to this model are the United Kingdom and the United States, which have long resisted police centralization.) 90005 90026 Policing large societies 90027 90002 In larger and more complex societies, informal institutions of social control are generally weaker, and, as a result, formal institutions are generally stronger. The relative weakness of informal controls is attributable to a number of factors. In large societies people often deal with strangers whom they will never meet again, and in such circumstances there may be fewer informal rewards for honesty or fewer informal penalties for dishonesty.Such communities tend also to be more technologically advanced, which leads to the adoption of new laws, such as those regulating the licensing and operation of automobiles and those concerned with commerce conducted on the Internet (90011 see 90012 e-commerce). Because some of these new laws may not have the same moral significance as older laws criminalizing violence, theft, or fraud, people may feel less of an obligation to obey them. Moreover, when new laws are created, crime increases almost necessarily.There is thus a danger that people who are convicted of having violated a new law may feel aggrieved and in the future be less willing to cooperate with the police or to obey the law when they are not being observed. Finally, as societies grow, it becomes more difficult for people to place the public interest ahead of their private interests in circumstances where the two may conflict. An employer who catches an employee committing an offense within the workplace, for example, may choose not to notify the police because he fears that the firm’s production, profit, or prestige would suffer if the offense was publicly exposed.90005 90026 Police and the state 90027 90002 A country’s political culture helps to determine whether its police forces are organized nationally or locally. The desire for efficiency lends itself to the establishment of centralized police forces, which can take advantage of coordination and savings in training, organization, and service delivery. However, such forces face the problem aptly summarized by the Latin question 90011 Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? 90012 ( «Who guards the guardians?»).In some democratic countries, particularly the United States and, to a lesser extent, Great Britain, citizens have traditionally believed that the existence of a national police force would concentrate too much power in the hands of its directors. They have believed that local communities could not hold a national police force accountable for abuses of power, and they have feared that the national government could use such a police force to keep itself in power illegitimately. For those and other reasons, some democratic countries favour organizing police forces on a local basis.Decentralization brings the police closer to the community, and it often succeeds in tailoring policing to the specific needs of a community. However, a decentralized police apparatus tends to hinder the flow of intelligence between the various components of the system. Another drawback of a system of accountability to local government is that the narrow relationship between the police and their political overseers may facilitate the corruption of both parties. 90005 90002 The need for police accountability is made evident by the great power that police forces wield over the lives, liberties, safety, and rights of citizens.Governments empower police to compel individuals to comply with the law; they allow officers to stop, search, detain, cite, and arrest citizens and to use physical and sometimes deadly force. If police use those powers improperly, they can abuse the civil rights of the very citizens they are supposed to protect. Thus, it is critical that police be accountable for their policies and behaviour. In democratic countries, accountability is ensured mainly by three means. First, police forces are made subordinate to elected representatives (as in the United States, where mayors or state governors oversee the police, and as in Belgium, where a town’s burgomaster is also the chief of police) or to special elected officials (e.g., the police and crime commissioners of England and Wales). Second, the courts are entrusted to safeguard the respect of due process by the police. Third, official bodies are appointed to hear and act upon complaints from citizens against the police. 90005 Michael Parker Banton William Francis Walsh Jean-Paul Brodeur.