Deadly Force Article Index for
Deadly
Website Links For
Deadly
 

Information About

Deadly Force




"Use of deadly force" is often granted to police forces when the person or persons in question are believed to be an immediate danger to people around them. For example, an armed man in a shopping mall shooting at random without regard to the safety of the people around him, and refusing or being unwilling to negotiate, would likely warrant usage of deadly force, as a means to prevent further danger to the community. In the United States this is governed by Tennessee V. Garner , which said that "deadly force...may not be used unless necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others." In Australia, it has recently been proposed that Police officers should have this power when a person might in the future pose a threat to others ( Australian Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 ).

In general, all armed bodies, be they the police or military or some offshoot thereof, have the ability to issue authorization for the usage of such force. Self-defence resulting in usage of deadly force by a civilian or civilians against an individual or individuals is often subject to examination by a court if it is unclear whether it was necessary at the point of the offence, and whether any further action on the part of the law needs to be taken.

Some legislation, such as the ''Ley de Fugas'' of the Spanish Restoration , has authorized deadly force against Escape es.
However, this was often abused as prisoners were shot dead in cold blood and then said to be trying to escape.


THE LAW

  • Keebine-Sibanda, Malebo J. & Sibanda, Omphemetse S. "Use of Deadly Force by the South African Police Services Re-visited". {Link without Title} .



SEE ALSO