{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-conduct-regulations-northern-ireland-2016/schedule/paragraph-4.3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-conduct-regulations-northern-ireland-2016/schedule/paragraph-4.3.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/2016/41",
  "legislation_title": "The Police (Conduct) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-conduct-regulations-northern-ireland-2016",
  "path": "schedule/paragraph/4.3",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "4.3",
  "heading": "Article 4 Use of Force",
  "text": "Wherever it is necessary for police officers to resort to the lawful use of force or firearms, they shall:\n(a) exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate object to be achieved;\n(b) minimise damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life;\n(c) ensure that assistance and medical aid are secured to any injured person at the earliest possible opportunity;\n(d) ensure that relatives or close friends of the injured or affected person are notified at the earliest possible opportunity;\n(e) report the incident promptly to their supervisors;\n(f) comply with Police Service policy, procedure and guidance.\n(Sourced from: Article 5(A)-(C), Article 6 United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.)",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2016/41/schedule/paragraph/4.3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T00:58:35.878787+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}