Commissioner responds to Rapid Accountability Review on use of force

The Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has responded to the publication of the Rapid Accountability Review earlier today (Thursday, 23 October).

The review considered whether there is a case to make changes to legal tests on the use of force and unlawful killing conclusions at inquests.

Sir Mark said:

“I would like to thank Sir Adrian Fulford and Tim Godwin for their detailed and considered review of these important issues.

“Police officers go towards danger every day to keep the public safe. They take split second decisions without the benefit of the detailed frame by frame hindsight of those who will ultimately judge their actions.

“No officer starts the day intent on doing harm, but it is our job to confront the dangerous, the violent and the reckless and to use force where necessary. The sad reality is that there will be incidents where people are injured or even killed as a result of coming into contact with the police. We recognise the impact this has on the loved ones of those involved and how important it is that they are able to establish what happened.

“It is right that police officers are held to account for their actions, including their use of force, but the system that scrutinises them must be fair, consistent, transparent and timely.

“Too often, all concerned face months and even years of uncertainty, having to go through two or sometimes three separate legal processes and hearings, being judged against a different standard each time.

“That is wrong, not just as a matter of fairness but as a matter of public safety. The chilling effect of an accountability system not fit for purpose is officers not prepared to do the most challenging roles or fearing the consequences of their actions more than the criminals they are confronting. Communities are less safe as a result.

“I welcome the review’s findings and the Government’s commitment to accept its recommendations.

“This is not about avoiding accountability, nor is it about giving officers permission to use excessive force, or to use it recklessly. The force officers use will still need to be necessary, reasonable and proportionate in all the circumstances.

“But when the review’s recommendations are implemented, officers will be able to have greater confidence that they will be held to a consistent standard, judged on what they honestly believed at the time and not what others say they should have believed many months and years after an incident.

“The need for this change is urgent and it is vital that implementation now follows without delay. We continue to work with Government and with our counterparts across policing to ensure that happens."