The use of weapons by the police in different countries

The white police officer who killed a black teenager in August of this year in the US city of Ferguson, as he said - in self-defense, was found not guilty. Ordinary citizens, outraged and disappointed by this decision of the jury, came out to protest. Mass riots began. Armored vehicles and police officers with machine guns appeared on the streets, and the police used tear gas and stun grenades to suppress the protests. This caused a wave of discussion in the United States about the use of weapons by the police. We decided to find out in what cases weapons in the hands of police officers in different countries can be used against the population.

Police in Belgium. (Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters)

In Belgium, the police can only legally use proportional force after a warning, in a situation where there are no other means to achieve this goal. The police may use firearms in self-defense, during clashes with armed criminals, and in order to protect especially important persons or objects in the country, but never during mass events.

Police officers in Malaysia. (Photo: Olivia Harris/Reuters)

In Malaysia, police officers can only use firearms when they are being used by the protesters themselves. In the 59 years of existence of the FRU - police departments in Kuala Lumpur (pictured) - the police have never used live weapons.

Police officers in the Philippines. (Photo: Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

In the Philippines, the use of a weapon against a suspect is only allowed when its actions threaten the life of the police officer or the victim (who is threatened by the suspect).

Police in Venezuela. (Photo: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

In Venezuela, policemen controlling peaceful demonstrations are not allowed to carry firearms. If there is a threat to public order, as well as other methods of conflict resolution have failed, the police warn that the use of force will be "increased". These measures cannot be directed against children, the elderly and other "vulnerable" populations. It is impossible to use force against persons who want to avoid violence and leave the scene.

Police in Mexico. (Photo: Claudia Daut/Reuters)

In Mexico, if "mob violence cannot be stopped," the police may gradually use more severe measures of suppression: 1) verbal persuasion; 2) limited physical impact; 3) other measures, such as the use of paralyzers; 4) the use of firearms and other means that can lead to death.

Police in Serbia. (Photo: Marko Djurica/Reuters)

In Serbia, police officers can use a variety of forceful methods - from batons to special vehicles, water cannons and tear gas - to quell riots during illegal gatherings. However, firearms can only be used when human life is in danger.

Police in Afghanistan. (Photo: Omar Sobhani/Reuters)

In this country, the police can use weapons or explosives against a group of people only if they "use weapons and threaten security, and other suppression measures have proven ineffective." Afghan police officers must give six warnings before using weapons that they will be used: three verbal and three warning shots.

Police officers in India. (Photo: Adnan Abidi/Reuters)

Members of the Rapid Intervention Force - Force India - in New Delhi (pictured) who are involved in riot control when the police cannot handle the situation. For their actions to be considered legal, a judge must be present at the scene. Before any escalation in the use of force, a warning must be given. In the course of riot control, the police must follow a certain sequence in the application of measures against the population: first water cannons, then tear gas, rubber bullets, and only then firearms.

Police in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

The police may use firearms or other explosive devices against the public only when other measures have proven ineffective, the crowd has been warned about the possibility of their use, and there are no children, the elderly and the disabled among the protesters (unless they are shooting at the police). ).

Police officers in Poland. (Photo: Łukasz Cynalewski / Agencja Gazeta)

Polish police officers may use firearms only in cases where there is a direct threat to the life or health of a police officer or another person, as well as when protecting especially important objects. The police also have the right to use weapons in a situation where the suspect does not respond to requests to hand over firearms or other dangerous objects or tries to take the weapon from the policeman.

Police in Austria. (Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters)

The Austrian police may use weapons to quell riots or apprehend a dangerous suspect, but only when other measures "may appear insufficient or have already proved ineffective". These measures must also be proportionate to the situation, and the use of weapons must be preceded by a warning.

Police officers in Italy. (Photo: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

In Italy, the police and carabinieri may only use weapons when there is "necessity to overcome resistance, to stop violence, or to prevent serious crime." The measures taken must be proportionate to the situation.

UN Security Forces. (Photo: Denis Balibouse / Reuters)

UN staff must comply with the rules for police officers in the Swiss cantons. From their wording it follows that "the use of weapons proportionate to the circumstances is allowed as a last resort." Police officers must, however, "as far as possible not cause serious injury", and "the use of firearms must be preceded by a warning shot, if circumstances permit".

The headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva is extraterritorial and not subject to Swiss jurisdiction.

Police officers in England. (Photo: Paul Hackett/Reuters)

In the UK, "potentially lethal measures may only be used when absolutely necessary". According to the law, the right to use weapons is allowed for self-defense or protection of others if there is a threat to life or serious injury.