Criminal Law Code as at 1st March 2007 (a) a person who⎯ (i) holds public office; or (ii) is appointed to perform a public duty; or (b) any employee or agent of the State or a corporate body of a public character, who is appointed as an inspector or in any other capacity to enforce the provisions of any enactment. 176 Assaulting or resisting peace officer Any person who assaults or by violent means resists a peace officer acting in the course of his or her duty, knowing that he or she is a peace officer or realising that there is a risk or possibility that he or she is a peace officer, shall be guilty of assaulting or resisting a peace officer and liable to a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years or both. 177 Undermining of police authority Any person who⎯ (a) in a public place and in the presence of⎯ (i) a police officer who is present on duty; or (ii) a police officer who is off duty, knowing that he or she is a police officer or realising that there is a risk or possibility that he or she is a police officer; makes any statement that is false in a material particular or does any act or thing whatsoever; or (b) in a public place and whether or not in the presence of a police officer referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (a), makes any statement that is false in a material particular or does any act or thing whatsoever; with the intention or realising that there is a risk or possibility of engendering feelings of hostility towards such officer or the Police Force or exposing such officer or the Police Force to contempt, ridicule or disesteem, shall be guilty of undermining police authority and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both. 178 Obstruction of public official (1) Any person who by physical interference obstructs a public official acting in the lawful execution of his or her duty shall be guilty of obstructing a public official and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both. (2) A person accused of obstructing a police officer investigating the commission of a crime shall be charged with the crime of defeating or obstructing the course of justice and not obstructing a public official. (3) Where a person is accused of obstructing a public official acting under an enactment which makes such obstruction a crime, such person shall be charged under that enactment and not under subsection (1). - 102 -