On the powers of the National Police of Ukraine under martial law

In this article, the author analyzes the legislative acts which currently regulate the activities of the National Police of Ukraine. It is stated that the activities of the National Police of Ukraine are very multifaceted, and therefore they are regulated by the rules of various branches of law. However, the bulk of these norms are still administrative and legal, since most of the police tasks are performed in the course of public administration, provision of police services in the areas of public safety and order, protection of human rights and freedoms, as well as the interests of society and the state, provision of services to assist persons who need such assistance for personal, economic, social reasons or as a result of emergencies, within the limits established by law. The author notes that main idea of the Constitution of Ukraine during wartime, as well as in peacetime, remains unchanged and consists in establishing limits for public authorities to prevent arbitrariness and guarantee human rights and freedoms. At the same time, the constitutional goals and priorities of the entire state during wartime have significant specifics. It is noted that with the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, the powers of many government agencies have undergone significant changes. Due to the adoption of amendments to the current legislation in the field of public security and order, the powers of the National Police of Ukraine have also changed to some extent. The author of the article emphasizes that the priority among such changes is to guarantee the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, as well as further development of a democratic state in which the rule of law is strictly enforced. The author concludes that during the martial law in Ukraine, the powers of the National Police have been significantly expanded by introducing appropriate amendments to the Law of Ukraine «On the National Police». At the same time, when expanding the powers of law enforcement agencies, including the police during martial law, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should take into account that the actual circumstances of war or martial law do not automatically constitute grounds for restricting the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens.