Use of force
Gwent Police respond to hundreds of incidents every day across the communities we serve as we seek to deliver our priorities of crime prevention and supporting the victims throughout these communities.
The majority of incidents are resolved without requiring any use of force; however there are occasions where an officer needs to use force to protect the public or themselves. Police officers are confronted with difficult situations every day. They walk towards danger when others walk away, thinking and acting quickly to keep people safe as best they can.
Officers are authorised and trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when necessary. Publishing this data will allow for improved public trust and confidence and greater transparency into why and how force is used. In the future, this data will allow us to compare the effectiveness of different techniques, providing evidence-based decisions about training, tactics and equipment.
A use of force form must be completed by the individual officer when the following use of force occurs (includes within custody). This could result in a number of forms being submitted relating to a single incident:
- handcuffing (compliant and non-compliant)
- unarmed skills (including pressure points, strikes, restraints and take downs)
- use of dogs
- drawing or use of baton
- drawing or use of irritant spray
- limb /body restraints
- spit guard
- shield
- taser
- drawing or use of AEP
- firearms
- any other actions which are deemed forceful.
Use of force performance information
When force has been used against a person, our officers are required to record it.
This makes sure that we're held to account, that any trends are identified and any training, equipment or officer safety issues can be understood. All of this makes sure that our use of force is fit for purpose.
This information includes any form of restraint, handcuffing, use of a Taser or irritant spray.
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