Reasonable force when exercising PACE powers

s.117Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Lets a constable use reasonable force, if necessary, when exercising any power PACE gives them, unless that power needs the consent of someone other than a police officer.

Reasonable force when exercising PACE powers · Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.117Card 57 / 59

When you can use it

s.117(a)The power being used is one conferred on a constable by PACE itself
s.117(b)The power does not say it may only be used with the consent of someone other than a police officer
The power is being lawfully exercised, with all its own conditions met
Force is necessary, for example because co-operation has been sought and refused
The force used is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances

What it allows

Use reasonable force, if necessary, to carry out any PACE power: stop and search (s.1), entry and search (ss.17, 18, 32), arrest (s.24), searching detainees (s.54), fingerprints (s.61), non-intimate samples (s.63).
Force to get into premises, to detain a person or vehicle for a search, or to take fingerprints or a non-intimate sample without consent.
It does not widen the power itself.

Key definitions

If necessary – force must be needed to exercise the power. If the person co-operates, no force is justified.
Reasonable force – no more than is proportionate to the aim.
Consent of some person – s.117(b): where a power needs someone else’s consent, force cannot be used. Intimate samples (s.62) and x-rays or scans (s.55A) need appropriate consent; refusal without good cause can support adverse inferences instead.

Safeguards

Stop and search – seek co-operation in every case. Force is a last resort, only once the person is unwilling or resists (Code A 3.2).
Premises – force to enter only if entry is refused, the occupier cannot be contacted, or Code B 6.4 applies (Code B 6.6). Force during the search only when co-operation is not obtained (Code B 6.10). Record whether force was used and why, and any damage (Code B 8.1). Secure premises entered by force before leaving (Code B 6.13).
Fingerprints and samples – force may be used to take fingerprints or a non-intimate sample without consent (Code D 4.6, 6.7). If it is, record the circumstances and who was present (Code D 4.8, 6.10A).
Custody – no force to take a drug test sample (Code C 17.14). If unreasonable force is alleged, report it to an inspector or above not connected with the investigation and call a healthcare professional (Code C 9.2).

Good to know

s.117 covers PACE powers only. Force in preventing crime or making an arrest is also covered by s.3 Criminal Law Act 1967, and self-defence by common law.
If an officer is prosecuted and relies on self-defence or s.3, reasonableness is judged on the facts as they honestly believed them, and disproportionate force is not reasonable (s.76 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008).
Designated staff using a power that lets an officer use force have the same entitlement (Code C 1.14).

Legislation: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.117 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A constable
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Reasonable force when exercising PACE powers: questions people ask

When can the police use reasonable force when exercising PACE powers?

1. The power being used is one conferred on a constable by PACE itself 2. The power does not say it may only be used with the consent of someone other than a police officer 3. The power is being lawfully exercised, with all its own conditions met 4. Force is necessary, for example because co-operation has been sought and refused 5. The force used is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances

Who can use reasonable force when exercising PACE powers?

A constable.

What law gives the power for reasonable force when exercising PACE powers?

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.117.

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