THE use of police force in Dorset has been put under review after it was revealed only 50% of police services in the country are recording it properly.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill commissioned the review, which will report its findings later this month.

He said: “Since widespread publicity last December concerning taser use in custody suites and the ongoing public debate concerning the use of force, I decided it was time to review the governance and scrutiny available when force is used by the police in Dorset.

“This is really important. In this country we police by consent and the public require reassurance that any force used by the police is appropriate and available to be scrutinised.”

As part of the review, an independent consultant has been employed to examine the data collection, operational policy and current level of scrutiny across all areas where police officers use force in Dorset. The terms of reference include the use of tasers inside custody suites.

Assistant Chief Constable for Dorset Police, David Lewis has welcomed the review.

He said: “It is essential that the force's actions are properly scrutinised and we will do all we can to support this work.

“We are not complacent and I hope this review will help to reassure the public that Dorset Police only use force when absolutely necessary and the use of taser is as a last resort,” he added.

As PCC lead for mental health and policing, Mr Underhill is also working with a number of agencies in relation to the use of force against vulnerable people.

“We will wait to see what the review tells us,” he said.

“I am particularly keen to establish how the use of force is recorded in Dorset and I discussed this last week with the Home Secretary.

I am told only 50% of forces appear to record this properly in all areas. I know the Home Secretary is working at a national level to establish clear guidelines in this area and I think a preliminary review here in Dorset may inform that work.”