Elwynnese Instrument of Government 1676-001

Policing Powers of the Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Cudgels

Castle of Eliria
Subject	Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Cudgels
Authority	Article 8
Decreed by	Prince Frederik
Extent	Elwynn
Set before Council	06.V.1673 AN

1. Upon the coming into effect of this Instrument of Government, policing within the borders of the Elwynnese Republic shall, subject to this and any other Law regarding policing, be the responsibility of the the Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Cudgels, which shall stand established immediately after the coming into effect of this Edict.
2. The Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Cudgels (hereafter “the Corps”) shall be responsible for policing throughout the Elwynnsese Republic.
3. The Corps shall be equipped, paid, armed and elsewise provided for by the Court of the Prince.
4. The Corps shall be headed by the Bludgeoner-General who shall be appointed by the Prince.
5. The Court of the Prince may make all the rules and regulations they may deem necessary or expedient for the organization, rank structure, training, discipline, efficiency, administration and good government of the Corps.
6. The Corps shall cooperate with the authorities of the Autonomous Republics to the extend provided for by law. They shall also co-operate with the public prosecution authorities as well as with other authorities and organisations whose activities concern the work of the Corps. Other authorities shall support the police in their work.
7. It shall be the duty of the Corps to:
   • prevent crime and other disturbances of public order or safety;
   • maintain public order and safety, prevent disturbances of the same and take action when such disturbances occur;
   • carry out investigations and surveillance in connection with indictable offences;
   • provide the public with protection, information and other kinds of assistance, whenever
   • such assistance is best given by the Corps; and
   • perform such duties as are incumbent on the Corps pursuant to special regulations laid down in Law.
8. The Court of the Prince shall decide to which members of the Corps and other authorities the term 'police officer' shall be applied to.
9. It shall be incumbent upon every police officer to:
   • respect the rights of all persons;
   • maintain the integrity of the law, law enforcement and the administration of justice;
   • perform his or her duties promptly, impartially and diligently, in accordance with the law and without abusing his or her authority;
   • avoid any actual, apparent or potential conflict of interests;
   • ensure that any improper or unlawful conduct of any police officer is not concealed or permitted to continue;
   • be incorruptible, never accepting or seeking special privilege in the performance of his or her duties or otherwise placing himself or herself under any obligation that may prejudice the proper performance of his or her duties;
   • act at all times in a courteous, respectful and honourable manner; and
   • maintain the honour of the police and its principles and purposes.
10. A police officer exercising an official duty shall, with due observance of the provisions of the Law, intervene in a way that is justifiable in view of the object of the intervention and other circumstances. If he has to use force, the form and level of force used shall be limited to that required to achieve the intended result.
11. It shall be the duty and the right of the Court of the Prince to take care that all units and formations be kept a full establishment of personnel and equipment, and that unit be established and maintained to standards of utmost proficiency in regard to organisation, equipment, and command in the training of the men, as well as in the qualification of the officers. For these purpose they shall be authorised to satisfy themselves at any time of the condition of the several contingents of their own respective police services, and to provide remedies for, if any, existing defects.
12. Anyone who treats any police officer with disrespect may be charged with the crime of Insolence and shall upon conviction thereof be liable to imprisonment with forced labour for a period not exceeding ten years.
13. The Court of the Prince shall be free to issue all the further rules and regulations it deems necessary or expedient to carry the provisions of this Instrument of Government into effect or to clarify the same.
14. All acts, laws, decrees, resolutions, orders, regulations, judgements, usages, or customs, if any, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and this Instrument of Government shall upon the coming into effect of this Instrument of Government be repealed, suppressed and superseded.
15. This Instrument of Government shall come into effect immediately.

Given at the Castle of Eliria under my Hand and the Seal of the Elwynnese Republic this sixth day of Filadinu in the year 1676.

Preceded by: None.

Instruments of Government of the Elwynnese Republic Series 1

Succeeded by TBC.