Crime Commissioner welcomes IPCC report into police use of force

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, has welcomed calls for a comprehensive system to record police use of force.

Speaking as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) published a report bringing together information from complaints, investigations and public perceptions in how the police use firearms, taser, restraints and other types of force, Tony Lloyd said: "The public will rightly expect the police to use force when necessary in order to ensure the safety of the public and themselves. However, they also expect the use of force to be proportionate and accountable.

“This is a welcome report that has found that there are inconsistencies in how police forces across the UK record how, when and why officers have had to use force and this is reflected in the public’s perception. These inconsistencies must be addressed if we are to truly hold the police to account and build public confidence, particularly amongst young people and people from BME communities. That’s why I back the IPCC’s call for a proper system to be put in place to ensure police officers are doing their job properly and their use of force is proportionate.

“In Greater Manchester, for example, this issue is already being addressed within custody to ensure that all use of force against detainees is recorded consistently and transparently. I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to consider the recommendations in this report and make improvements in how officers right across GMP use force.”