By Solomon Odeniyi
Police officers participating in the forthcoming elections have been warned against the use of force on the electorate, and that in case they need to apply force, it must be limited in intensity and must be commensurate with the level of threat posed.
These were contained in the revised election code of conduct recently distributed to police officers on election duties sighted by our correspondent on Friday.
It partly read, “The rules of engagement to guide the operations of all personnel in electoral activities are as follows: (a) The principle of minimum force and proportionality must be applied at all times; (b) whenever operational situation permits, every reasonable effort shall be made to control the situation through measures short of using force; (c) any force applied must be limited in its intensity and duration; it must also be commensurate with the level of threat posed; (d) force is only to be used when absolutely necessary to achieve an immediate aim.”
The code of conduct also said police must receive order from a commander on the scene before firearms could be used except when time was short to receive one.
It added that while using firearms, police officers were prohibited from shooting indiscriminately, noting that collateral damage must be avoided.
It noted further that after shooting had ceased, they should render medical assistance and record details of the incident both in writing and using audio/visual equipment whether casualty had been recorded.
Source: The Punch
