Operational partnerships - Stop and search policy (O06)

1.1 This policy has been reviewed in January 2026. No amendments to content have been made.

2.1. This policy provides mandatory direction to operational officers on the execution and recording of stop and search powers.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3.1. Stop and search powers are a legitimate tactic for the disruption and detection of crime. We aim to identify offenders and deter crime through the targeted use of these powers.

3.2. The power to stop a person or vehicle and to detain for the purpose of a search is a significant one. No other powers generate the same level of public interest in relation to fair application. The use of these powers must be exercised with great care, good judgement and a clear, lawful rationale.

3.3. Officers must demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism when exercising these powers. The individual detained and searched should be given the best possible impression of Kent Police given the circumstances.

3.4. It is of considerable importance that officers should be able to answer the simple question, "Why did you stop me?", with a reasonable and complete explanation of their grounds. The quality of the encounter, the professionalism of the officer and the impression left with the person searched are all of vital significance to us. The way a search is conducted is a reflection of our organisational values.

4.1.1. No financial or staffing implications have been identified in the creation of this policy.

4.1.2. This policy has been assessed as medium risk.

4.1.3  An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed for this policy. As a result of this assessment the policy has been graded as having a medium potential impact.

5. Monitoring and review

5.1. This policy will be monitored by the policy owner who also has oversight of the practical application of the powers through the stop and search database and associated data analysis.

5.2. A comprehensive performance pack is developed and published in force on a quarterly basis. It is intended that there should be Chief Officer and SLT oversight at a local and force level. This data is also made available to the IPAG with a briefing.

5.3. There is a level disproportionality evident from the analysis of searches. However the numbers involved are small at a district level and there are very few complaints about the use of stop and search in a given year. Whilst the issue is clearly very significant both politically and operationally it is not felt that the impact of the use of this policing tactic is high. It does however generate community interest and there is an on-going need to engage and to challenge processes.

5.4. An oversight of the data is useful to ensure an equitable and fair application of the powers and to ensure that our actions are based on intelligence and crime trends. Stop and search figures should never be used as a force, team or individual performance indicator.

5.5. This policy will next be reviewed in January 2027.

6. Security

6.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 – Information Management).

7. Retention and Disposal of Records

7.1 Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal Policy (Policy W1012 – Records Review, Retention and Disposal).