Police Officers ‘Afraid To Use Force’ Because Of Repercussions

“It’s a crazy world if we get to the point where officers can’t use the powers they’ve been given without the risk of finding themselves being prosecuted.”

Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield was commenting after British Transport Police Federation Chair Stuart Cowan told the BTPF annual conference that police officers were afraid to use force, a fear exacerbated by the length of time taken to investigate complaints.

Stuart told the conference: “One officer, who was subject to a vicious assault, told one of our reps they were afraid to use force because they were worried about PSD. They were so worried about getting a complaint and spending time under investigation that they risked their own health and wellbeing. That can’t be right.”

Zoë said: “I have heard this from other forces, but I’ve not particularly noticed it in Hampshire. But high-profile cases in the media can really affect officers’ confidence in using force, and that they will be supported by the organisation. It also leads into the firearms issue. We’re getting regular requests from the Met Police to send firearms officers to London to help.

“It’s a crazy world if we get to the point where officers can’t use the powers that they’ve been given, without the risk of finding themselves being prosecuted.”

Zoë added that some incidents shouldn’t go to court and could be ‘practice requiring improvement’ instead, with the officers discussing learning points with their managers.

She said: “Also, where’s the support from the force? Why aren’t the force speaking out and saying: ‘We’ve reviewed this incident and we’re satisfied that there’s some learning for the officer, but we will not be pursuing it any further’?”