Final answer:
The principle of using proportionate means requires police and security agencies to use only reasonable force necessary to protect the common good, upholding the rule of law and individual rights while maintaining order and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of proportionate means to protect the common good when applied to police and security agencies refers to the implementation of force that is reasonable and necessary to maintain order and protect citizens. This concept is consistent with upholding the rule of law and balancing individual rights with the need for collective security. Here, option C is the most accurate: It allows for reasonable force to maintain order and protect citizens. Excessive use of force would undermine both the legitimacy of law enforcement and the protection of individual rights, making option A incorrect. Complete transparency, as suggested in option B, is important but not always feasible due to operational and investigative considerations. Option D is incorrect because the mandate for lethal force in all situations would grossly violate the principle of proportionality.
Police and security agencies must operate within the bounds of the law and ensure that any enforcement actions, including searches and seizures, adhere to standards of reasonableness. This is to prevent the erosion of liberties under the guise of national security. Moreover, governments are advised to monitor law enforcement practices to prevent the expansion of powers that do not serve the public interest. Public goods such as police services are vital to collective security and must be delivered in a manner that is just, equitable, and proportionate to the situation at hand.