Protection of Persons Acting Under Authority

Protection of Persons Acting Under Authority

The law offers protection to persons acting under authority. Section 25(1) states:

Everyone who is required or authorized by law to do anything in the administration or enforcement of the law:

 (a) as a private person;
 (b) as a peace officer or public officer;
 (c) in aid of a peace officer or public officer; or
 (d) by virtue of his office;

is, if he/she acts on reasonable grounds, justified in doing what he/she is required or authorized to do and in using as much force as is necessary for that purpose.

 

This section provides protection for persons who must use force to carry out their responsibilities. This means, if you have to use force to make an arrest, or to remove a trespasser, or to conduct a search, or seized articles that may lawfully be seized, you are both justified and protected as long as your actions are reasonable in the circumstances and the amount of force used is no more than is necessary to accomplish the job.