Use of force by police

Request data on police use of force incidents, types, and outcomes.

Police Scotland records every incident where officers use force. This data shows how often force is used, what types of force are most common, and whether use of force is proportionate.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 1. The total number of use of force incidents recorded. 2. A breakdown of incidents by type of force used (e.g. handcuffing, PAVA spray, baton, Taser, firearms). 3. The number of incidents that resulted in injury to the subject. 4. A breakdown of use of force incidents by local policing division. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

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Tips#

  • Police Scotland publishes some use of force data in its annual reports. Check what is already available before submitting your request.
  • Asking for a breakdown by division lets you compare your local area to the national picture.
  • If you want data on a specific type of force (e.g. Taser deployments), consider making a focused request for that alone. It may be easier for the authority to process.