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Police use of force needs recording better, IPCC says Police use of force needs recording better, IPCC says
(35 minutes later)
A better system for recording the use of force by police in England and Wales is needed to improve public perception, the police watchdog has said.A better system for recording the use of force by police in England and Wales is needed to improve public perception, the police watchdog has said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission says people think force is used more readily than a decade ago.The Independent Police Complaints Commission says people think force is used more readily than a decade ago.
Its report also found people with mental health problems are more likely to die than others after force is used.Its report also found people with mental health problems are more likely to die than others after force is used.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said the findings would contribute to a review it is carrying out.The National Police Chiefs' Council said the findings would contribute to a review it is carrying out.
'Head-butting a child''Head-butting a child'
The IPCC's Police Use of Force study brings together evidence from complaints and investigations over a five-year period from 2009 to 2014, as well as examining public perception.The IPCC's Police Use of Force study brings together evidence from complaints and investigations over a five-year period from 2009 to 2014, as well as examining public perception.
Researchers looked at 200 IPCC investigations into the most serious incidents of use of force and concerns were raised in a third of cases.Researchers looked at 200 IPCC investigations into the most serious incidents of use of force and concerns were raised in a third of cases.
Findings included:Findings included:
In one case, an officer received a final written warning for head-butting a child.In one case, an officer received a final written warning for head-butting a child.
The report included a survey of 1,302 people and 83% of those polled said they trusted the police to use reasonable force.The report included a survey of 1,302 people and 83% of those polled said they trusted the police to use reasonable force.
However, polling scores among some groups were lower, with 71% of young people and 76% of BME individuals expressing trust in the police.However, polling scores among some groups were lower, with 71% of young people and 76% of BME individuals expressing trust in the police.
The report also found the public believe that police use firearms much more often than they actually do.The report also found the public believe that police use firearms much more often than they actually do.
It said there was currently no "standardised national practice for police forces to record all types of force used".It said there was currently no "standardised national practice for police forces to record all types of force used".
'Accountability' 'Not typical'
The IPCC is calling for the creation of a national database to record the use of firearms, Tasers and other restraint techniques to identify concerns and improve public confidence.The IPCC is calling for the creation of a national database to record the use of firearms, Tasers and other restraint techniques to identify concerns and improve public confidence.
IPCC chairman Dame Anne Owers said: "People understand and expect that our police officers should have the power to use force when it is necessary to protect the public. However, officers must be accountable for their use of force, particularly when it leads to death or serious injury. Chairman Dame Anne Owers said officers must be accountable for their use of force, particularly when it leads to death or serious injury.
"Partly, this is done through investigations of serious incidents but a significant part of accountability is ensuring that the police consistently collect, analyse and publish data about how and when force is used." She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that police should record when, where and why force was used to provide a "clear picture".
There was a suggestion, she said, that police were not always "alert to when there ought to be concerns about the way force is being used".
But she added: "Our own investigations, remember, are into the most serious incidents, the ones that come to us, so they are not typical of the way force is used across the country."
The report made 20 recommendations in total, including the need for forces to seek feedback from people who have had force used against them.The report made 20 recommendations in total, including the need for forces to seek feedback from people who have had force used against them.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that IPCC is to be overhauled and renamed.Meanwhile, it has been announced that IPCC is to be overhauled and renamed.
Home Secretary Theresa May has said the watchdog will become the Office for Police Conduct.Home Secretary Theresa May has said the watchdog will become the Office for Police Conduct.
The reformed organisation will be headed by a director general instead of a number of commissioners.The reformed organisation will be headed by a director general instead of a number of commissioners.