Danny
//The decision to shoot is the officer’s alone. They are legally responsible for each and every shot they decide to fire. For the shots to be legal, they must show they were acting in the defence of themselves or others and that their actions were proportionate. Section three of the 1967 Criminal Law Act reads: “A person may use such force as is reasonable in the prevention of crime.”
If an officer honestly believes someone poses a threat to their life, or to the life of others, reasonable force may be used.
Do police shoot to kill or wound?
The official policy says firearms officers “shoot to incapacitate”. They are trained to target the centre of the chest as the quickest way to “neutralise” a suspect, even though it is highly likely that this will kill.
The idea that officers will shoot to wound is dismissed because it is felt that it places the public and officers in too much danger.
Concerns about marauding terrorist attackers mean officers have been told they may need to shoot a terrorist suspect in the head because they may be wearing body armour.
The law on self defence can be controversial, especially as it does not mean an officer has to be correct in assessing the level of danger. //