Cardiff Use of Force Policy - Local Police Guide
In Cardiff, Wales policing and operational use-of-force practice affecting local residents is delivered by South Wales Police and guided by national professional standards. This guide summarises how use-of-force is governed, where to find official policy, how complaints and reviews are handled, and practical steps residents or officers can take after an incident. It references force-level guidance and national Authorised Professional Practice to help readers understand enforcement pathways and options for appeal; if an exact municipal bylaw is not published on a Cardiff Council page, the controlling instruments and enforcing office are shown below using the force and national sources current as of February 2026.
Overview
Operational guidance for use of force in Cardiff is issued and implemented by South Wales Police at force level, and is informed by the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice on use of force. For force procedures and local guidance see the South Wales Police policy and for national standards see the College of Policing APP. South Wales Police policy[1] College of Policing APP[2]
Legal framework
Use of force by officers is governed by statutory criminal law (including common law self-defence and offences of assault), the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 where relevant, the Human Rights Act 1998 applying proportionality tests, and force-level policies and supervisory procedures adopted by South Wales Police. Specific bylaw-style municipal rules for Cardiff Council do not set police use-of-force standards; enforcement and review are handled through police internal procedures, independent oversight and criminal law processes.
Penalties & Enforcement
Fine amounts and fixed-penalty figures for misuse or unlawful use of force are not specified on the cited force policy or national APP pages; criminal or disciplinary consequences depend on the finding and applicable statute or misconduct regulations, not a published fixed municipal fine schedule.[1][2]
- Enforcer: South Wales Police Professional Standards Department for misconduct; Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversight for serious incidents or referral.
- Court/criminal process: Allegations of assault or criminal wrongdoing proceed via the Crown Prosecution Service and courts; penalties follow criminal sentencing statutes and are case-specific.
- Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: misconduct findings can lead to written warnings, restraining conditions, suspension, dismissal recommendations or management actions; seizure or retention of items may occur under evidential rules.
- Inspection and complaint pathways: make a local complaint to South Wales Police Professional Standards or contact IOPC for independent investigation or referral.
Applications & Forms
There is no published municipal application or licence specifically for authorising police use of force; to make a complaint residents use the South Wales Police complaint form or contact IOPC for independent referrals, as set out on the force and IOPC sites. IOPC complaints guidance[3]
Common violations and typical outcomes
- Excessive or unnecessary force allegations - outcome: local investigation, possible misconduct finding or criminal referral (case-specific).
- Failure to record use-of-force properly - outcome: management action or disciplinary process.
- Unlawful restraint or equipment misuse - outcome: evidence-led misconduct or criminal proceedings.
Action steps
If you are affected by or witness a use-of-force incident in Cardiff, take the following steps to protect rights and support any review.
- Collect details: record date, time, location, officer badge numbers and witness contacts.
- Report to South Wales Police Professional Standards via the force complaints route or call the non-emergency number to request guidance.
- If you wish to escalate, contact the IOPC to request an independent referral or to make a statutory complaint.
- Seek legal advice promptly if you face injury or criminal charges, or if you intend to pursue judicial review of a misconduct decision.
FAQ
- How do I complain about an officer's use of force?
- Make a complaint to South Wales Police Professional Standards online or by phone; you can also contact the IOPC to request independent oversight or referral. See the force and IOPC guidance for steps and timescales.
- What standards guide officers' use of force?
- Officers follow South Wales Police force policy alongside the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice on use of force, and must act lawfully, proportionately and with regard to human rights.
- Are there fixed fines for unlawful use of force?
- No fixed municipal fines are specified on the cited force or national APP pages; outcomes depend on misconduct findings or criminal proceedings and applicable statutes.
How-To
- Record incident details: note officers, time, place and witnesses and preserve any photos or video.
- Contact South Wales Police Professional Standards to make a formal complaint via the force complaints form or by phone.
- If dissatisfied, ask for an internal review and consider contacting the IOPC for independent complaint handling or referral.
- Consider legal advice for civil claims, judicial review, or to challenge investigation outcomes within statutory time limits.
Key Takeaways
- South Wales Police sets local operational policy; the College of Policing sets national APP standards.
- Penalties are case-dependent and not presented as fixed municipal fines on the cited pages.
- Use the force complaints route and the IOPC for oversight and escalation.
Help and Support / Resources
- South Wales Police - official site
- South Wales Police - Complaints and Professional Standards
- Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
- College of Policing