Criteria for Establishing the Status of Law Enforcement Officers under Criminal Legislation of Ukraine

Abstract

The theoretical and practical difficulties in using criminal law measures against law enforcement officers who exceed power or official authority are studied here. The types of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine are clarified, and the signs of division of their system are described. The criteria for determining the status of law enforcement officers are established, and the features that distinguish an official from the support staff are emphasized. Finally, the most common disadvantages enshrined in the Criminal Code of Ukraine in terms of liability for abuse of power or official authority by law enforcement officers are analysed. The concepts of law enforcement officers, persons carrying out law enforcement activities, persons endowed with law enforcement powers, executors of law enforcement functions and the meaning and instances of their application in domestic legislation are also investigated. In light of the study results and the requirements of current criminal law, including the positions of criminal law scholars, suggestions for possible ways to eliminate existing regulatory shortcomings are provided.