Overview
- The Home Office confirmed it will move misconduct assessments to a criminal‑law framed standard focused on an officer’s honest belief that force was necessary.
- Ministers will consult the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales before introducing legislation, so the change is not yet in force.
- The revised standard would apply to all police use‑of‑force scenarios, including self‑defence and the defence of others, according to the government.
- Police leaders, including Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, welcomed the move for consistency and morale, while Inquest and Amnesty International warned it weakens accountability.
- Officials cited confusion since a 2023 Supreme Court ruling and the fallout from the Chris Kaba case, with the IOPC still pursuing gross misconduct proceedings against Sergeant Martyn Blake under current rules.