Liverpool Police Use of Force Policy Guide

Public Safety England 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

In Liverpool, England the primary operational police body is Merseyside Police and use-of-force matters are governed by national authorised professional practice and force-level policies. This guide summarises how local organisation, oversight and complaints work, identifies the enforcing bodies and directs you to official policy pages and complaint routes so you can take action or seek review.

Police organisation and policy framework

Local policing in Liverpool is delivered by Merseyside Police[1], which publishes force-level guidance and handles operational incidents. National standards and detailed lawful use-of-force guidance are set out by the College of Policing in its Authorised Professional Practice (APP).[2] Independent oversight of serious incidents, complaints and conduct is provided by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) / police conduct service, which accepts referrals and investigations for qualifying matters including deaths and serious injuries following police contact.[3]

If you need immediate assistance after a use-of-force incident, contact the police or seek legal advice promptly.

Penalties & Enforcement

Use-of-force matters are not addressed through municipal bylaws but through police conduct regulations, internal disciplinary processes, criminal law and independent investigations. Specific monetary fines for use-of-force are generally not listed on the force or national APP pages; where sanctions exist they are disciplinary, regulatory or criminal and depend on findings in each case.

  • Enforcer: Merseyside Police Professional Standards Department handles internal conduct matters; the IOPC can carry out independent investigations and appeals of referrals.[1]
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: report to Merseyside Police PSD, or request an independent investigation/referral via the IOPC when criteria are met.[3]
  • Fine amounts and fixed penalties: not specified on the cited pages; sanctions are primarily disciplinary, regulatory or criminal as appropriate.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures are set by internal disciplinary rules and by criminal process; ranges for fines or points are not specified on the cited pages.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include misconduct findings, management action, dismissal, referral to professional regulators, criminal charges and court proceedings; seizure of evidence and use of civil remedies can also follow charged offences.
  • Appeals and review: internal disciplinary appeals routes exist within police regulations and independent review routes via the IOPC or criminal appeal courts; specific time limits for filing appeals are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the enforcing department.[1]
Sanctions for unlawful force are case-specific and may include misconduct findings, criminal charges and civil claims.

Applications & Forms

For reporting and formal complaint submission you will usually use Merseyside Police complaint forms or the IOPC referral process; details and submission methods are published on the official pages cited below. If a specific form number or fixed fee is required it is not specified on the cited pages and must be checked on the force or IOPC site.[1]

Action steps

  • Immediate safety: call 999 for emergencies or 101 for non-emergencies.
  • Record details: note time, location, officer identities/badges, witnesses and take photos if safe.
  • Submit complaint: contact Merseyside Police Professional Standards Department or use the IOPC referral process if criteria apply.[1]
  • Seek independent review: request IOPC involvement for serious incidents, deaths or where you believe internal processes are insufficient.[3]
Keep copies of all documentation and evidence as they are essential for investigations and appeals.

FAQ

Who sets use-of-force policy for police in Liverpool?
The College of Policing sets national APP guidance on use of force while Merseyside Police publishes force-level procedures and manages operational application.[2]
How do I complain about an officer's use of force?
File a complaint with Merseyside Police Professional Standards Department or ask the IOPC to consider an independent investigation if criteria are met.[1]
Are there fixed fines for wrongful use of force?
No fixed municipal fines are specified on the cited pages; outcomes are typically disciplinary sanctions, criminal charges or civil claims depending on findings.[2]

How-To

  1. Immediately seek safety and medical help if needed; call 999 for emergencies.
  2. Collect evidence: note officer details, times, witness names and take photographs or recordings where lawful.
  3. Contact Merseyside Police to make a formal complaint via their published complaint route and retain reference numbers.[1]
  4. If the incident is qualifying or you seek independent review, contact the IOPC to request a referral or investigation.[3]
  5. Consider legal advice for civil claims or representation in disciplinary hearings.

Key Takeaways

  • Use-of-force policy combines national APP and force-level procedures; Merseyside Police implements local practice.
  • Complaints are handled by Merseyside Police PSD with independent oversight from the IOPC for serious cases.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Merseyside Police official site
  2. [2] College of Policing - Use of Force APP
  3. [3] Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) / police conduct

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