THE USE OF JUDO THROWS AS A FORM OF PHYSICAL COERCIVE MEANS BY THESLOVENIAN POLICE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46763/SCGW25112g65pAbstract
The article presents the applicability of judo throws as a form of physical force in the Slovenian police. Professional throws are generally considered the most severe form of physical force, as they can cause more serious bodily injuries when subduing an individual who is violating the law. The legal framework, conditions, and principles for the use of coercive means by the Slovenian police are defined, followed by a more detailed discussion of physical force, with a focus on professional throws. The effectiveness of these throws is compared, the advantages and disadvantages of different throwing techniques are described, and their usefulness in a police officer’s application of physical force is assessed. Successful and effective execution of a professional throw requires a high level of officer proficiency, which is virtually unattainable given the limited number of hours allocated for police education, further training, and professional development during employment. We reviewed and analyzed the statistics on the use of coercive means by the Slovenian police to determine the extent to which Slovenian police officers resorted to professional throws when subduing individuals between 2015 and 2024, and to examine whether their use was lawful, professional, and effective.
Keywords: police, coercive means, physical force, judo throws
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References
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