44 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY Any entity or body that is entrusted or contracted by a State with the prevention, detection and investigation of crime and the arrest and detention of criminal suspects and offenders; this includes immigration and other border control agencies. Law enforcement agencies may work at the local, provincial, national or supranational level. The body or unit of the military or of other security forces will be considered a law enforcement agency when it is conducting law enforcement tasks, whether domestically or in another jurisdiction.125 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL Any officer of the law, whether appointed or elected, who exercises police powers, especially the powers of arrest or detention.126 Where law enforcement powers are exercised by the military, whether uniformed or not, or by State security forces, the definition of law enforcement official includes any officers of such services.127 Law enforcement officials include immigration officers. The term applies equally to those acting on national territory or extraterritorially. LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OBJECTIVE An objective that is recognized in both international and national law, such as protecting members of the public or a law enforcement official from violence, preventing the perpetration of a criminal offence, arresting a person suspected of having committed a criminal offence, or detaining a convicted criminal pursuant to a lawful sentence. The term also refers to the duty of law enforcement agencies and officials to facilitate and protect the right of peaceful assembly; in certain circumstances it may encompass medical purposes when they are pursued in accordance with medical ethics. Code of Conduct, commentary (a) and (b) to article 1; footnote to the Basic Principles. Ibid., commentary (a) on article 1. 127 Ibid., commentary (a) and (b) to article 1; footnote to the Basic Principles. 125 126