Use of Force Data
We are committed to being an open and transparent force and this use of force data is published to provide an insight into what being a police officer involves and the challenges they face.
Officers are trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when absolutely necessary.
This information will help improve the understanding of use of force and will help shape the tactics used and the training of officers.
Use of Force 1April 2019 - 31 July 2019
In the 12 months between April 2019 and July 2019 there were 679 records of incidents where force was used. Each officer that has used force in an incident should record the force used, and as a result one incident could result in several records for one subject.
Incident location
Officers record the location of the incident, the most frequent location is the custody block (28% of records), followed by a street/highway (23% of records).
Incident location | Number of Records |
|---|
Street / Highway | 203 |
Custody Block | 165 |
Dwelling | 114 |
No Location | 91 |
Open ground (e.g. park, car-park, field) | 62 |
Other | 18 |
Retail premises | 13 |
Police vehicle without prisoner handling cage | 12 |
Licensed Premises | 9 |
Mental Health Setting | 9 |
Police vehicle with prisoner handling cage | 7 |
Ambulance | 6 |
Hospital / A and E (non mental health setting) | 6 |
Public transport | 3 |
Police station (excluding custody block) | 2 |
Sports or event stadia | 1 |
Impact Factor
The factors that are likely to have an impact on the need for an officer to use force are recorded. Any number of impact factors could be recorded against each incident. The most frequently recorded impact factor is alcohol, this is followed by mental health.
Impact factor | Number of records |
|---|
Alcohol | 292 |
Mental health | 184 |
Drugs | 160 |
Prior knowledge | 160 |
Size/gender/build | 142 |
Other, specify | 132 |
Possession of weapons | 49 |
None given | 30 |
Acute Behavioural Disorder | 25 |
Crowd | 13 |
Reason for Force
There may be multiple reasons for the use of force in each incident. The most frequently stated reason recorded by officers/staff for using force is to protect themselves (20 % of records) followed by protecting other officers (18% of records) and effecting address (17% of records).
Reason for force | Number of records |
|---|
Protect self | 380 |
Protect other officers | 346 |
Effect arrest | 317 |
Prevent escape | 278 |
Protect subject | 219 |
Protect public | 147 |
Effect search | 100 |
None Noted | 85 |
Tactic used
Officers record the different tactics they use in each record, there are occasions where the initial tactics are not successful so further tactics are required.
Tactic used | 1st tactic used | 2nd Tactic used | 3rd Tactic used |
|---|
Physical restraint inc Non compliant handcuffing | 105 | 51 | 1 |
Compliant handcuffing | 52 | | |
Taser | 27 | 18 | 11 |
Other | 23 | | |
Restraint accoutrement | 20 | 33 | 12 |
Irritant spray (police issue) | 11 | | |
Physical strike | 5 | 11 | 5 |
Baton | 3 | | |
Spit guard | 3 | 15 | 7 |
Tactical communications | 3 | 61 | 29 |
Police dog | 1 | | |
Firearms (if used, record on Chronicle) | | 1 | |
HOSTYDS | | 1 | |
Irritant spray (police issue) | | 2 | |
Subject details
Officers/staff record the details of the subject, based on their perceptions of the individuals age, gender, ethnicity and disability.
Perceived age | Number of records |
|---|
0 - 10 years | 0 |
11 - 17 years | 48 |
18 - 34 years | 152 |
35 - 49 years | 54 |
50 - 64 years | 17 |
65 and over | 2 |
Not recorded | 406 |
Perceived ethnicity | Number of records |
|---|
B1. Black Caribbean | 3 |
B2.Black African | 5 |
B9.Any other Black background | 5 |
M1. White & Black Caribbean | 5 |
M9. Any other mixed background | 2 |
NS.Not Stated | 11 |
W1. White British | 181 |
W2. White Irish | 3 |
W9. Any other white background | 7 |
Not recorded | 458 |
Perceived gender | Number of records |
|---|
Female | 126 |
Male | 501 |
Not recorded | 51 |
