King's College London

This study, published in the Justice Evaluation Journal and led by the Policy Institute’s evaluation team and the College of Policing, demonstrates that a new scenario-based training programme significantly reduces police use of force without increasing harm to officers. A trial involving 1,843 officers in Avon and Somerset Police showed a 10.9% weekly reduction in force usage, with “hands-on” methods such as ground restraints dropping by 14%. Public injuries during force incidents fell by a third, with no rise in officer injuries. 

The training was designed by an expert group who analysed national data to identify common conflict scenarios between police and the public where force might be used. These scenarios—such as custody booking, domestic incidents, street fights, stop-and-search operations, and interactions with vulnerable individuals—formed the basis of the two-day, scenario-based programme. The training builds on conflict management skills from recruit training, focusing on de-escalation, risk management, physical restraint, and protective equipment use.