FOI request (FOIR-541512071)

Use of Force

Requested Wed 23 August 2023
Responded Tue 12 September 2023

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, regarding use of force.

For the purposes of this request, I define 'use of force' as force used on behalf of the Council to protect the public and themselves from harm. Use of force includes, but is not limited to, the following tactics: handcuffing people, unarmed skills (including pressure points, restraints and takedowns), limb/body restraints, drawing or use of irritant spray, spit guards, batons, firing rubber bullets. Use of force includes both physical and mechanical restraint.

I am interested in roles that are both directly employed by the council or arranged by private sector providers (commercial partners) through contractual arrangements with the Council.

1. Are there roles within the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour? The role may be called 'Security Officer', 'Security Manager', 'Ranger', or another title. Please answer either 'yes' or 'no'. If the Council does not employ staff to manage anti-social behaviour, please ignore the remaining questions of this request.

2. Are any of these roles regarding the management of anti-social behaviour authorised to use physical intervention or force? Please answer either 'yes' or 'no'.

3. For the purposes of this request, I will refer to those employed by the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour as 'Security Officers'. If the Security Officer role is authorised to use physical intervention or force, please share the following information:

a. Any forms, or written documents from employees after using force between 1 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. These may be called 'incident forms' or 'high profile notification forms', or the Council may use a different terminology internally. Please indicate if the Council does not require employees to debrief in this way after use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions. I also kindly remind you that the time taken for redactions does not usually contribute towards the cost cap under FOI.

b. Copies of the minutes of all Council use of force governance meetings. Please indicate if the Council does not hold meetings to scrutinise use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

c. Copies of any written documents that were distributed to those attending each use of force governance meetings. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

d. Copies of any presentations, such as PowerPoint slideshows, which were shown during each use of force governance meeting. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Response

1. Yes.

2. No, other than break away skills if they are involved in a violent incident.

3. Not applicable.