Police respond to report on use of force

Thames Valley Police has today responded to the Independent Police Complaints Commission report on the use of force by officers.
Police use of force is in the spotlightPolice use of force is in the spotlight
Police use of force is in the spotlight

Thames Valley’s Deputy Chief Constable, John Campbell said he welcomed the publication of IPCC report and stressed it is important for the public ‘to feel confident officers are acting in an appropriate and proportionate manner’.

“Our officers undergo regular and rigorous training and assessment in the legal and practical aspects of using force and we incorporate into our training any lessons learnt from case studies,” Mr Campbell said.

“Our officers are required to deal with conflict of varying degrees, and across the many thousands of incidents they respond to every year it is relatively rare that officers have to use force, and rarer still that the use of force is found to be unnecessary.

Thames Valley Police have responded to the IPCC reportThames Valley Police have responded to the IPCC report
Thames Valley Police have responded to the IPCC report

“Where force is used our officers are required to make a record. If applying the use of force results in actual bodily harm then we follow statutory guidance and refer ourselves to the IPCC for their consideration.

“Internally, at the conclusion of a Professional Standards or IPCC investigation our Head of Professional Standards reviews the case to assess whether the use of force amounts to misconduct and whether disciplinary proceedings may be required.

“Where appropriate we will bring disciplinary proceedings in respect of use of force.

“In addition, the Thames Valley Policing & Crime Commissioner’s Complaints, Ethics & Integrity Panel which is drawn from members of the public from across the force area, reviews complaints received regarding our use of force to check that they are being handled fairly and appropriately.”

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