In what circumstances are the police permitted to break the law?
<p>I assume (but this isn't necessarily the case) that the police are permitted to break the law in order to enforce it. By <em>break the law</em>, I mean perform acts that would usually be illegal - say, if a private citizen did them - without sanction. </p>

<p>There are some powers that are explicitly granted to the police - for instance, to use a vehicle with sirens and lights - that's not really the point of my question.</p>

<p>For example - but an answer should not be limited to these:</p>

<ul>
<li>When can the police direct another person to commit an illegal act?</li>
<li>In what circumstances can the police exceed speed limits or ignore traffic lights/signs?</li>
</ul>

<p>Yes, they're intentionally broad - I'm hoping at least one answer for this will be detailed and thorough, and contemplate a few examples of situations.</p>

<p>Is this the case? In what circumstances? Do they need written authority to do it in every instance, and/or what kind of authorisation do they need?</p>

<p>For simplicity's (although I doubt it will be) sake, let's limit this question to the United States.</p>

<p>The police are <strong>never</strong> permitted to break the law.</p>

<p>However, the law that gives them their powers may make other laws not applicable to them in the course of their duties. If a law is not applicable to them; how can they break it?</p>

<ol>
<li>When it is in the general interests of public safety.  For example, if a road needs to be closed for some reason and police direct traffic the "wrong" way down a one-way street, or go during a red light, that is something that would normally be illegal, but OK for the police to do and instruct others to do.  Many states have a general exception to laws, especially traffic laws, that allow police officers to override them.  </li>
<li>When they are working undercover.  For example, they might buy and sell drugs and be part of making arrangements directing others to do so as well.  If the officer tried to use that directly, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment" rel="nofollow">entrapment</a> might be an issue, but it might just be part of a larger investigation (e.g. building up trust in a bigger effort to catch the kingpin instead of the lower-level dealers).  </li>
<li>When there are not effective controls on their behavior.  In practice, police <em>often</em> have an effective form of immunity from being convicted of crimes, and they know it, and this can lead to them being permitted <em>in practice</em> to violate laws.  Speed limits are probably the most well-known example of this, even when officers are not responding to a call which very urgently requests their presence somewhere.</li>
</ol>

<p>I hope that's a bit more detailed than the current top answer and "contemplates a few examples of situations" as requested.</p>

united-states police