Speech by Minister of Home Affairs at the "Conflict Control and de-Escalation in the Scope of Police Intervention" conference

"First of all, I would like to thank you, Madam Inspector General, for the kind invitation that has been extended to me, in order to preside over this Opening Ceremony of the Conference on Conflict Control and De-Escalation in the scope of Police Intervention.

This is a very important topic for discussion and calls for an in-depth analysis from different angles and perspectives.

One of the most relevant functions of the democratic State is the right to exercise the use of force, through legal means, in order to assure the respect and compliance with the rule of the law. This has been a landmark of the democratic societies at the dawn of 21st century, an expression of the sovereign power and a guarantee of the social contract established between the State and the active citizenship. 

It is important to emphasize that the use of the legitimate law enforcement means by police officers while neutralizing or minimizing a threat, in situations of escalation of conflict, with varying degrees of violence, requires a rational and operational evaluation of the problem."

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