Member

One of the most draconian and rights-infringing things that the law can do is to empower the state to inflict physical force on people and their property. The use of physical force marks a far more serious infringement than the powers of search, entry and seizure alone. The more serious the rights infringement, the more justification is required to show that it is necessary and proportionate. Is it really needed? Could less intrusive means achieve the policy intent? Unfortunately, there has been little convincing justification so far for the need for the power to use reasonable force to be broadened to DWP officers. Why can the use of force not be left to appropriately trained police officers? Is it really necessary?