Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the safeguards that must be in place before recommending disciplinary punishment, the safeguards accompanying the imposition of disciplinary punishment on police officers, and the safeguards subsequent to the issuance of the disciplinary punishment. Methods: The study used both descriptive and analytical approaches, as they are most appropriate for the study and for achieving its objectives. Results: The study identified the safeguards that must be in place before recommending disciplinary punishment, including ensuring that police officers are notified of the alleged violation, investigating police officers and recording the investigation in a written report, and hearing police officers' statements and enabling them to exercise their right to defend themselves. The results also identified the safeguards accompanying the imposition of disciplinary punishment, including ensuring that the decision recommending punishment against a police officer is reasoned, ensuring the impartiality of the investigating authority and specifying the punishment. Conclusions: Police departments operate in accordance with laws, regulations, and bylaws that govern police work, define powers and duties, and specify disciplinary violations and penalties. However, when imposing any penalty on a police officer, the penalty must be proportionate to the degree of the error committed, in addition to the guarantees that accompany the disciplinary violation at all its stages.