Section 230 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act of 2002 empowers police
officers in New South Wales to use as much force as is reasonably necessary to exercise a power,
authority or duty, such as a stop, search or arrest of an individual.
Section 231 of the Act similarly provides that a police officer who exercises the power to perform an
arrest may use such force as is reasonably necessary to make the arrest or prevent a person from
escaping.
The use of force that is excessive in the circumstances constitutes the criminal offence of assault and can also give rise to civil liability.