The police officers are capable of handling the various situations with extreme caution when dealing with lawbreakers, according to Director General of the Capital Police Directorate Brigadier Naji Al Hashil.
In a statement published by the Bahrain News Agency he said it was necessary for police officers to resist provocations otherwise the consequences could be detrimental to the civic peace.
“The power the security forces are derived from their loyalty to the nation and leadership as well as their sense of responsibility and keenness on people’s security,” he stressed.
He also pointed out that the law allows the police officers to use force while fulfilling their duty as per article 77 of the Law on Penal Procedures and article 12 of the Public Security Forces Law.
“Article 13 of the Public Security Forces Law regulates the use of weapons when breaking up riots in case it becomes necessary to deter dangers,” he clarified detailing procedures followed in dealing with authorized and unauthorized marches and sit-ins.
He said when a march veers off its goals and legal regulations, we need to deal with it with utmost self-control in order to ensure the safety of both the security officers and participants in the march as well as protect private and public properties.
Brigadier Al Hashil pointed out many legal offences made during the recent unrest in Bahrain such as staging an illegal sit-in at the formerly-known Pearl Roundabout, setting up illegal checkpoints by the lawbreakers, chanting illegal and unethical slogans, kidnapping people and guiding them to the Pearl Roundabout where they have been beaten up and treated cruelly.
“The social and economic impact of these offences was clear and felt by everybody like damaging properties and endangering people’ life by blocking roads and attacking people, including even women,” he said.
Regarding the role of the directorate in enforcing the State of National Safety Law, Brigadier Al Hashil said that the leadership declared the State of National Safety at a time the kingdom witnessed an unrest which sought to destablise the nation.
The directorate has worked with other concerned parties on gathering information about illegal marches called for by the lawbreakers. Then, the required security procedures were taken to break up the unauthorized march as per the State of National Safety Law.
The false allegations made by the rioters that the protests were peaceful laid bare for their heinous terrorist and criminal acts were obvious to all, he asserted pointing out the attack he and other security officers were subject to on March 13, 2011 when they tried to remove barriers set up by the rioters to block King Faisal Highway.
Brigadier Al Hashil extended thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his wise handling of the crisis and great concern for the welfare of the nation and people.
He also thanked His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their strenuous efforts to ensure Bahrain’s stability and prosperity.
He thanked, the Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa for his valuable directives to restore stability and bring life back to normal in Bahrain.