Use of Force
The National Decision Model, the legal framework for use of force (Criminal Law Act 1967 s.3, PACE 1984 s.117, common law and Article 2 ECHR), the force options ladder, key principles and reporting requirements — an officer quick-reference.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
What is the legal framework and decision-making process for police use of force?
Police use of force is governed by the National Decision Model (NDM) — five steps (gather information and intelligence; assess threat and risk and develop a working strategy; consider powers, policies and legislation; identify options and contingencies; take action and review what happened) applied around a Code of Ethics at the centre of every decision. The legal basis is section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 (reasonable force to prevent crime or make an arrest), section 117 PACE 1984 (force to exercise a PACE power), common law self-defence and defence of others, and Article 2 ECHR (the absolute right to life, requiring lethal force to be “absolutely necessary”).
Force options run from officer presence and communication through physical and mechanical restraint, incapacitant spray, baton strikes and Taser, up to firearms as a last resort — de-escalation should always be attempted first. Any use of force must be recorded, and the key test is whether the force used was reasonable, necessary, proportionate, lawful and accountable.
A reference to the National Decision Model, the legal framework for use of force, the escalation ladder of force options, and the reporting requirements that follow any use of force. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, training and current law.
National Decision Model (NDM)
The primary decision-making framework for UK policing — apply at every stage of an incident.
Step 1
Gather information and intelligence
Step 2
Assess threat and risk, develop working strategy
Step 3
Consider powers, policies, and legislation
Step 4
Identify options and contingencies
Step 5
Take action and review what happened
Legal Framework
The legislation and principles authorising the use of force.
| Law | Description |
|---|---|
| Section 3 Criminal Law Act 1967 | “Reasonable force” to prevent crime or make arrest |
| Section 117 PACE 1984 | Force to exercise PACE powers |
| Common law | Self-defence and defence of others |
| Article 2 ECHR | Absolute right to life — use of lethal force must be “absolutely necessary” |
Force Options
Escalation and de-escalation — from communication through to lethal force.
| Force option | Level |
|---|---|
| Officer presence and communication | De-escalation |
| Verbal commands and warnings | De-escalation |
| Physical restraint (empty-hand techniques) | Low |
| Mechanical restraint (handcuffs, limb restraints) | Low |
| Incapacitant spray (PAVA/CS) | Medium |
| Baton strikes | Medium |
| Taser (Conducted Energy Device) | High |
| Firearms (lethal force — AFOs only) | Lethal |
Reporting Requirements
What you must do after any use of force.
- Complete use of force form after every incident
- Body-worn video should be activated BEFORE force is used where possible
- Record: what threat you faced, what options you considered, why you chose the force used
- Supervisor notification required for baton/PAVA/Taser use
- IOPC referral for firearms discharge or serious injury
Key Principles
“Would a reasonable officer in the same circumstances have acted the same way?”
Proportionality
Match force to the threat
Necessity
Was force the only option?
Legality
Did you have lawful authority?
Accountability
Can you justify every action?
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Criminal Law Act 1967, section 3 — use of force in prevention of crime
The statutory basis for “reasonable force” to prevent crime or effect an arrest, cited in the Legal Framework table.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 117 — reasonable force in exercise of a police power
The statutory basis for force used to exercise a PACE power, cited in the Legal Framework table.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Human Rights Act 1998, Schedule 1 Part I, Article 2 — right to life
Article 2 ECHR (the absolute right to life) as incorporated by the Human Rights Act 1998 — the source for the “absolutely necessary” lethal-force standard cited in the Legal Framework table.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the National Decision Model (NDM)?
- The NDM is the primary decision-making framework for UK policing, applied at every stage of an incident. It has five steps — gather information and intelligence; assess threat and risk and develop a working strategy; consider powers, policies and legislation; identify options and contingencies; and take action and review what happened — with the Code of Ethics at the centre of every decision.
- What legislation authorises a police officer to use force?
- Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 permits reasonable force to prevent crime or make an arrest; section 117 PACE 1984 permits force to exercise a PACE power; common law covers self-defence and defence of others; and Article 2 ECHR is the absolute right to life, requiring that lethal force be “absolutely necessary”.
- What principles determine whether a use of force was lawful?
- Force must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate. The key principles used to judge it are proportionality (matching force to the threat), necessity (was force the only option?), legality (was there lawful authority?) and accountability (can every action be justified?) — summarised as whether a reasonable officer in the same circumstances would have acted the same way.