Police Force! An Examination of the Use of Force, Firearms and Less-Lethal Weapons by British Police

Abstract

Since the turn of the century the police use of firearms has become increasingly scrutinised by the press and public. To answer the increasing demands for better policing of firearms situations, the government and police forces of the UK have committed to the research of less-lethal weapons. This article strives to discuss how the police use of firearms may develop in the future with the introduction of less-lethal weapons. The discussion is based around three main themes: the development of the police use of firearms since the 1960s; the comparison of the main types of less-lethal weapons currently available; and a review of a Police Complaints Authority report into police shootings arguing that less-lethal weapons may have made a difference. It is concluded by proposing that a risk assessment procedure is created so that firearms officers can decide which weapon is best suited to each incident.