Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Police officers are trained to use force when necessary to maintain public safety and uphold the law. Below you will find further information about the tactics that our officers use.
Attenuating energy projectiles (AEP) are soft-nosed projectiles fired from a specially designed gun. Use of AEP is restricted to authorised and trained police officers. They are intended to deliver a strike like a baton from a safe distance causing temporary pain and stunning.
Officers are issued with either a static or expandable stick. It is carried either on a belt or the officer’s tactical vest when not needed to not interfere with an officer's movement. It can be pulled out of its holster to show escalation or used to cause temporary pain, stunning and incapacitation.
Compliant handcuffing may be used for transport or to help in a search of an individual. Non-compliant handcuffing is used once an officer has gained control of an individual and is used to protect the officer and other people from harm.
The rigid metal handcuffs are designed to be applied to the wrist and can be used if a person is violent, potentially violent, an escapee or a potential escapee. They are adjustable and once applied they have a locking mechanism which prevents them getting tighter. Handcuffs can be applied to the front or back of the body.
It is not necessary for the person to be under arrest for handcuffs to be applied.
PAVA is an irritant spray dispensed from a handheld canister in a liquid stream. It gives officers the opportunity to deal with individuals at a distance. It is sprayed at the face and causes coughing, irritates the skin and eyes and causes intense discomfort making the eyes close, providing officers with a tactical advantage.
The spray canister can be pulled out of its holster to show escalation or used to cause temporary incapacitation.
Specially trained dogs can be used in situations where police officers need to control or pursue people. This includes where a dog was deployed but did not touch the person.
Police dogs are used in rural and urban areas to:
They must also:
Kent Police authorised firearms officers (AFO) are specially trained. They are required to attend incidents where they may have to protect the public or themselves from a person who is in possession of, or who has immediate access to a firearm or other potentially lethal weapon.
When a police officer makes use of a firearm or less lethal weapon for example, by pointing it or by discharging the weapon, the officer is both legally and organisationally accountable.
The attendance of an armed officer can be enough to diffuse a situation.
Occasions where a firearm is used are incredibly rare.
Ground restraint is where a person is taken to the ground and controlled safely to apply tactical options like handcuffs, leg restraints or a spit guard. It can also involve performing an action without compliance, like the search of a person or the removal of items that may be dangerous or cause harm.
Officers are taught control and restraint techniques to safely restrain a person on the floor. This can include the use of the Limb Restraint System, which is a system of two Velcro straps, designed to stop officers being kicked.
In instances of public disorder, where there is a high risk of harm, specially trained public order officers may be deployed with clear polycarbonate shields which are used to push or strike an individual who poses a threat.
This is made from a fine mesh material with a thin plastic window. The guard is placed over the head of the person to prevent them spitting and biting while allowing them to breathe.
Tactical communication means talking to a suspect. This includes issuing orders such as asking them to move, stop or change their actions.
The technical name for a TASER is a Conducted Energy Device (CED). It is a less-lethal single shot weapon designed to temporarily incapacitate a suspect using an electrical current.
It is a hand-held weapon similar in shape and size to a pistol that is bright yellow and black.
The TASER uses an electrical current which interferes with the body’s neuromuscular system. It allows officers to deal with violent or potentially violent people at a distance.
TASER is usually held in a holster on an officer’s belt or vest along with other safety equipment.
Includes any form of physical contact including distraction strikes - for example, holding, pushing, pulling, striking, pinning someone to the ground or restraining someone.
Refers to any other method of force not detailed in the above listed techniques, such as using a police vehicle to stop someone moving or fleeing.