You can defend yourself during Police arrest but be careful-Legal Practitioner
one’s knowledge of the Law can prevent him/her from being manhandled by Police personnel
A private legal practitioner Justin Pwavra has indicated that one has the right to defend him/herself when being arrested by the Police but such right according to him, must be exercised with caution.
According to him, it is unlawful for a suspect to be assaulted by a Police Officer during arrest particularly when the suspect is not resisting but has yielded to the arrest.
Additionally, he noted that a citizen is entitled to the right of self-defense according to the 1992 Constitution however, exercising such right could be dangerous sometimes.
Mr. Pwavra made this statement on Sunday, October 3, 2021, on The Law on JoyNews which was monitored by DL News.
“When the Police arrest you and you submit, they have no right to use force against you. When they do that, they are assaulting you and the law gives you the right to defend yourself. Because the law avails you the right of self-defense…,” he said
However, he mentioned that the above can cost a person his or her life when many Police personnel is involved in the arrest. He said they may pounce on the individual and this could be fatal.
Therefore, the legal practitioner advised the general public to rather behave peacefully in the event of an arrest.
Moreover, one’s knowledge of the Law can prevent him/her from being manhandled by Police personnel. Thus individual suspects should inform police personnel when they are overstepping their bounds.
According to him, this approach is best at preventing fatalities.
