Are the police allowed to break the law during investigations?

I have always been told that police need a court order allowing them to break the law when doing things like buying drugs in order bust a dealer. However, I'm now being told they can simply do it whenever they want. Which is true?
Additional Details
Example of what I'm referring to...

A cop sees a suspected drug dealer and decides to buy drugs from him in order to arrest him. Since buying drugs is illegal, is the cop allowed to do that? Or do they need something from a judge exempting them?

Novarobin

As always, it depends on where you are. In Canada, you do not need a court order to buy drugs in order to bust a dealer. You buy the drugs, properly exhibit them, complete a report, then use it as a point in a request for a search warrant.

hochi1942

even for those with diplomatic immunity keep in mind it can be revoked if the seriousness of the crime warrants it

Mark

That`s the whole point of a law. If there is legislation or subodinate legislation that allows them to do something that other normal citizens can`t do then it is not illegal for them to do it and they are therefore allowed. What you are referring to is entrapment, it usually illegal and will not stand up in a court of law anyway when they go and prosecute the person who bought the drugs.

It all comes down to what the law says. It might say that a police officer is allowed to do anything subject to the department guidelines, then they just follow the guidelines. It usually says what a court thinks is "just".. and therefore it is left to the interpretation of the court and they can usually get away with it.

ripley600ave

Police are held to the same standard to regular citizens when it comes to breaking the law actually higher standers. The police or any goverment agency acts within the US constitution therefore if any civil,local or constitutional law is broken they are subject first to an internal investigation(If its not directly known at the time) at which if found the complait/allegation was true the officer will be arrested and tried.

Prussian Blue

They are supposed to have court orders for many different things, however they disregard & break the law all of the time because they can. In cases which are under, or may be under scrutiny they will try to follow the law a little closer, because once in a while illegally obtained evidence may be thrown out of court.

Max Stanton

No, they cannot break the law.

If a Police officer breaks the law while investigating a case and it can be proven that the law was broken the judge must end proceedings with a mistrial.

The only people who can technically break laws are Diplomats and those with legal immunity and Royalty who for the most part are still considered 'sovereigns' and also have legal immunities.

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