Details of Home Office review into police use of force published

The review will consider whether these provide “sufficient protections for those in the line of duty and maintain public confidence in policing”.

The review, which was requested by the Home Secretary and will be coordinated by the Home Office, is expected to provide findings to Suella Braverman by the end of the year.

The first part of the review will assess whether the existing legal and regulatory framework that underpins police use of force and police driving offers the right protections to the police, particularly firearms officers.

It will also examine if these frameworks are sufficient to maintain the public’s confidence in policing, particularly communities and families impacted by police actions.

The review will also consider the systems for investigating police officers, including referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), especially in incidents where members of the public have been killed or injured, and whether cases involving those acting in the line of duty should be treated differently from other cases.

The timeliness of investigations and legal processes will also be looked into, including whether more effective working between the IOPC and the Crown Prosecution Service can reduce timescales of criminal investigations and whether there are options to reduce any duplications in criminal, coronial and misconduct processes.

Finally, the review will examine whether improvements need to be made to officer suspension and anonymity. This will look at communications following an incident and ask if they strike the right balance between providing clarity to officers and reassuring members of the public.

Ms Braverman said: “We depend on our brave police officers to put themselves in harm’s way in order to keep us safe.

“It is one of the toughest jobs, relying on officers to make life or death decisions in a split second and we should never take it for granted.

“It is why I requested this review to ensure the legal frameworks under which the police operate command the confidence of both officers and members of the public.”

Donna Jones, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), said it welcomed the terms of reference for the review, and that “the voice and experience of PCCs has been reflected in its development”.

“There is a need to recognise the difficult and dangerous job that firearms officers undertake to protect the public and it is essential they feel supported and trusted to apply their experience and skills appropriately to save lives. Equally important is the need to reassure the wider public, and key communities particularly, of the protections and standards that are applied to the deployment of firearms,” said Ms Jones.

“As PCCs, we have a responsibility to ensure police forces are justified and proportionate in their use of weapons and that officers execute their powers safely and to the highest possible standards.

“When action falls short of these standards or there is a clear abuse of power, it is imperative they are rigorously examined, and if appropriate, brought before a court to retain public confidence in policing.

“PCCs will continue to work with national policing partners across England and Wales to ensure the review achieves much needed clarity for officers and communities.”

The Home Office said it will work with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office on the review and is clear that it “will not impinge of the operational independence of the police and other relevant bodies in the criminal justice system”.

The review will also not consider ongoing investigations or live legal proceedings.