Inspector General(IG) of Police Japhet Koome says police are justified to use their firearm when protecting lives.
Koome says police are allowed to use firearms to protect their lives or any other person’s lives that are in danger.
He says police are aware on when to use their firearms.
Speaking after being sworn in, Koome listed five instances police are allowed to use a firearm.
“Their are five instances in the police Act, when the police officer or any other person’s life is in danger, the police officer is justified to use the firearm,” he said.
“When protecting lives or property if it is eminent to danger or threat, the police can use a firearm.
“In the case of self defence or defence of another life, they are allowed to use a firearm.”
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The IG says police are justified to use their firearm in an instance when a person is charged with having committed a serious offence including murder, felony or imprisonment of more than three years and that person attempts to escape.
IG Koome says if police arrests a person charged with committing felony and someone attempts to rescue them, then the police is justified to use firearm.