Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971

Offences - Offences involving treachery, cowardice, and looting

28: Cowardly behaviour

You could also call this:

"Running away or not doing your job when facing the enemy is against the law"

Illustration for Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971

You can commit an offence if you are before the enemy and show cowardice. This can happen if you leave your post or position when you should be there. You can also commit an offence if you abandon your weapons or equipment, or fail to do your duty. You might leave your post or position, or abandon your weapons or equipment. This is considered cowardly behaviour and is against the law. If you do this, you could be imprisoned for life. If you are supposed to be doing something as part of your duty, you must do it. If you do not do your duty, this can also be considered cowardly behaviour. This behaviour is taken very seriously and can result in severe punishment.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM402398.

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"Trying to stop Armed Forces members from doing their job or being loyal"


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Part 2Offences
Offences involving treachery, cowardice, and looting

28Cowardly behaviour

  1. Every person subject to this Act commits an offence, and is liable to imprisonment for life, who, when before the enemy, in such a manner as to show cowardice—

  2. leaves his post or position or any other place of duty where it is his duty to be; or
    1. abandons his weapons or any other equipment in his charge; or
      1. by any act or omission, fails to carry out the duty required of him.