CHALLENGES AND DILEMMAS IN POLICE ACTION: BALANCING PUBLIC ORDER AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges and dilemmas faced by Brazilian police forces in the delicate balance between maintaining public order and respecting the fundamental rights of citizens. Police action, intrinsically linked to preserving security, is challenged by the imperative need to ensure individual rights in a democratic society. Faced with this complexity, the research aims to understand the nuances of this dynamic and present solutions to optimize this balance. The legislative and normative analysis related to police action in Brazil constitutes the first specific objective, aiming to highlight the interactions between maintaining order and protecting fundamental rights. The investigation of emblematic cases makes up the second specific objective, revealing practical challenges faced by the police in preserving public order without violating individual rights. The reflection on strategies and solutions, the third specific objective, seeks to contribute to improving police effectiveness in this sensitive context. The adopted methodology comprised an exploratory and descriptive bibliographic review, using specific descriptors in databases such as SCIELO and the Theses and Dissertations Library of USP. Data analysis involved statistics, case studies, interviews, and official documents, providing a comprehensive and well-founded approach. The justification for this study lies in the need to understand the challenges faced by police forces to guide public policies and police practices. The complexity of these issues requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating legal, social, and ethical aspects to promote an effective balance between maintaining order and respecting fundamental rights, contributing to a safer and more just society.