PCC to scrutinise Merseyside Police’s use of force at public meeting with the Chief Constable
23.06.26 - Merseyside
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner will scrutinise Merseyside Police’s use of force at her public meeting with the Chief Constable this week (Monday 24th June).
The law allows police officers to use force which is ‘necessary, proportionate and reasonable’ to make an arrest, prevent crime or to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
PCC Emily Spurrell will review how the organisation exercises these powers at her three-hour public Scrutiny Meeting with Chief Constable Rob Carden and his senior team at Mann Island.
It will include reviewing how often force is used when making an arrest and how often these incidents lead to an injury to either officers or suspects. It will also review the different methods used, including firearms, Taser, PAVA spray, and the deployment of police dogs, as well as restraint tactics such as handcuffing.
In light of the recent tragedy involving Henry Nowak, the PCC will question the Chief Constable about how he ensures these methods are being used appropriately, proportionate and in full compliance with the law.
The police leaders will also review Merseyside Police’s data in relation to ‘stop and searches’ conducted, including the number of searches that result in no further action to ensure these are being used effectively. Data will also be examined showing the personal characteristics of the people involved in these incidents, including their age, gender and ethnicity, to ensure these powers are being used proportionately.
Also under the spotlight will be Merseyside Police’s use of new Live Facial Recognition technology which has been deployed four times between December last year and March this year. Estimates indicate that nearly 30,000 faces were scanned, resulting in six alerts and two arrests, and the meeting will give the Chief Constable the opportunity to update the PCC and the public on how this new technology is being used ethically, transparently and with appropriate safeguards.
The session will also focus on how Merseyside Police investigates crime, including how long cases take to reach a conclusion and how often this results in a positive outcome for victims of crime. Another key area of focus will be police custody, including the number of people detained, how long they remain in custody, and the prevalence of drugs, as well as how often strip searches are undertaken.
As part of the session covering ‘emerging issues’ the police leaders will also discuss the impact of the major reorganisation undertaken within the organisation in March and the force’s plans to meet the Government’s commitment to halving knife crime.
The session will also include questions submitted by the public and from the PCC’s two independent scrutiny members.
Members of the public are encouraged to watch the meeting live at 1pm - PCC Scrutiny meeting - Wednesday 24 June 2026, 1:00pm - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Webcasting
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Police officers are often required to respond to complex, high-pressure situations, and the use of force is sometimes necessary to protect the public and bring offenders to justice.
“But these are significant powers, and it is vital they are used lawfully, proportionately and with accountability. That is why I am committed to scrutinising how and when force is used, in a way that is open and transparent for the public.
“This meeting gives the Chief Constable and his senior team the opportunity to explain clearly how these tactics are applied, how decisions are made on the ground, and how the force ensures the highest standards are maintained.
“It is also an important opportunity to examine how emerging tools, such as live facial recognition, are being used responsibly, and how the force is working to improve outcomes for victims.
“I will also be putting questions from members of the public to the Chief Constable, so I would encourage anyone with an interest in policing in Merseyside to tune in and follow the discussion.”
