Rudy Giuliani complained that police officers are 'having a hard time' because they can't punch people anymore

• Rudy Giuliani complained on a podcast about cops not being allowed to punch people.

• He said his uncle, a cop, likely didn't have to shoot people as he had a "knockout punch."

• Police officers, however, do punch people and such use of force still is permitted in self-defense.

Former New York City Mayor and Trump ally Rudy Giuliani complained on a podcast this weekend about police officers not being able to punch people anymore.

"You can't use your gun, you can't touch anybody," Giuliani told podcast host Joe Pags during a Saturday episode of The Joe Pags Show.

"One of the reasons why cops are having a hard time, people — they're not strong? They're not allowed to touch you between here and here," said Giuliani, gesturing at the area between his neck and his waist. "They can't punch you!"

Giuliani went on to claim that his uncle, a police officer, had likely avoided shooting people on multiple occasions because he had a "knockout punch" to rely on instead.

Contrary to Giuliani's claim, there have been numerous cases of police officers punching people. Just this month, three police officers in Arkansas were filmed kicking and punching a man on the sidewalk. Also in August, a video circulated of a police officer appearing to punch a man while arresting him in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

According to the National Institute of Justice, the use of force by police officers — such as striking a person with one's fist — is permitted in self-defense or when protecting others.

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