London police officers used force against citizens more times in 2017 than the previous year.
New statistics going to the London Police Services Board on Friday show there were 257 use-of-force reports last year, a 13% increase from the 227 incidents in 2016.
However, once incidents that required officers to shoot an animal are removed, the total number of use-of-force reports goes to 228, up from 180 the previous year. That represents a 27% rise.
Out of all of the calls for service police received throughout the year, involving humans alone, only 0.17% required use-of-force, according to a four-page report.
Officers are required to fill out a use-of-force report whenever they draw, point, or fire their gun or taser, use pepper spray or baton, or use physical force that results in an injury requiring medical attention. The reports are reviewed by a supervisor before going to the head of the use-of-force training unit.
The jump in use-of-force reports filed last year is mainly attributed to taser use. Officers, mostly with the uniformed patrol, pulled their tasers 102 times in 2017. That figure is nearly double the 62 times tasers were used by police in 2016.
"The use-of-force training unit identified no areas of concern arising from reports submitted in 2017,” Inspector Paul Bastien wrote in the annual report. “Unit members continue to monitor incidents and trends occurring in other parts of the country and around the world and incorporate lessons learned and best practices into dynamic, situation-based scenarios for London Police service members."
One out of four times police used forced last year involved a person armed with a knife or edged weapon, while 8% had some type of firearm.
Figures show a total of 26 subjects suffered minor injuries during the use-of-force incidents reported. One officer and a bystander were also hurt.
