The police aren't supposed to punish people. The courts are supposed to determine guilt and and punishment, as everyone has a right to a jury trial.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and any other form of violence is only supposed to be used when people are somehow in real danger. That's why the police often insist they are "protecting themselves", as they tear gas protesters who weren't doing anything remotely threatening. They're pretending that they're obeying the law.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and any other form of violence is only supposed to be used when people are somehow in real danger. That's why the police often insist they are "protecting themselves", as they tear gas protesters who weren't doing anything remotely threatening. They're pretending that they're obeying the law.