Internal Scrutiny and Review Processes – Use of Force

We are here to serve the public and that’s at the heart of everything we do, therefore, it is important that we as a Constabulary ensure that our powers of use of force are used fairly, proportionately and effectively. It is equally important that the community has trust and confidence in how we use our use of force powers, thus, it is vital we are open and transparent into what happens after a use of force nd how we hold ourselves to account.

Below you will find information about all the different internal scrutiny and review processes and meetings we have in place around use of force.

Officer Self-Review

Every time an officer utilises a use of force that officer is required to record it on their Body Worn Video and on TuServ (the software used by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to record the written records concerning use of force and stop and searches).

When completing the TuServ record an officer is undertaking a self-review to ensure that there is consistency between what occurred at the scene so is recorded on their Body Worn Video and what they write.

Supervisor Dip-Samples

The direct supervisor (typically a sergeant) of the officer who utilises use of force may periodically dip sample their officers use of force records to ensure accuracy and consistency. The supervisors provide direct feedback to their officers on the TuServ record and the wider encounter, such feedback not only focuses on the proportionality of the use of force but also the manner of communication and quality of the interaction.

Internal Review Group

The Inspector Tactical Lead for Stop and Search and Use of Force chairs the Internal Review Group where a collection of supervisors (predominantly sergeants) and experienced police constables review a dip sample of the use of forces and stop and searches. For Use of Force, they review both the written TuServ record and the Body Worn Video footage. This serves as a check and balance on the individual supervisor’s review, if conducted, but most importantly ensures a selection of every use of force is reviewed. The reviewers provide direct feedback to the officer and their supervisor,, where needed and the Inspector also provides feedback where there are significant concerns or markedly good practice. In addition, the Inspector generates generalised learning points which are sent to all Supervisors to share with their officers.

Visit our Internal Review Group page for a recap of the generalised learning points and meeting discussions.

Taser Specific Reviews

Every deployment of a Taser, even if just drawn, is reviewed by the Tactical Lead for Stop Search and Use of Force. Here the Tactical Lead reviews the written record and associated body worn video. In addition, the Taser Training Team also reviews each time a taser is fired and a dip-sampled selection of other taser uses (taser was only drawn or only the red-dot function used).

The use of taser is afforded this extra level of scrutiny and review as for Cambridgeshire officers it is the highest-level of use of force they may use. Officers who, at times, use more specialised use of forces, such as deployment of a police dog or firearms, work for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Herefordshire (BCH) Joint Protective Services (JPS). JPS review and monitor all use of force, including when JPS officers use Taser in Cambridgeshire

Strategic Review Meeting

All of the initial reviews feeds into the monthly Strategic Review Meeting where both Use of Force and Stop Search is discussed commenting on some individual reviews but predominantly moving towards the overarching data, trends and learning points as well as new initiatives and policy changes. In this meeting there is also a specific focus on disproportionality across both policing powers.

Follow these links to read the data and discussions from the Strategic Review Meetings concerning Use of Force and Disproportionality 

The Strategic Review Group also discusses stop and search, follow the link to read the data and discussions about stop and search Internal Scrutiny Processes.

Other Meetings, Overview & Outputs

The monitoring, scrutiny and discussion concerning use of force and stop search feeds out of the Strategic meeting to a variety of other meetings and places. This includes laterally to the Ethics, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Strategic Meeting then onto the Organisational Learning Group; as well as feeding up to the Force Performance Meeting and Force Operations Board.

It equally feeds out externally to HMICFRS (His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fires and Rescue Service) and the Home Office which allows the data to be included in national statistics. As a Constabulary we equally publish the information here on the website in order to be open and transparent. We also do a lot of work internally to promote the data and learning points from having an internal learning hub, to newsletter and monthly top three tips.

As shown on this page we are committed to internal review and scrutiny of stop search, however, internal review is only one half of the scrutiny process we also are committed to being scrutinised by and hearing from the Community. Therefore, we support and facilitate the Community Scrutiny Panel and Community Conversations.