I was sitting with a diverse group of security occupation related folks the other morning. Over coffee, one of the fellas mentioned his department (Sheriff) was contemplating discontinuing the use of chemical sprays. To my surprise, several folks stated thier own departments, companies, organizations were considering the same.
Several matters concerning problems with sprays were mentioned. I just listened. I'll give a few I remember hearing;
*Loss of pressure in container; failed to stop aggressor.
*OC not effective on persons under influence of certain drugs.
*OC caused heart failure of some persons under influence of certain drugs.
*Time elpse from decision to use OC to discharge; failed to stop knife attack in a timely mannor.
*Officer got OC'd because of wind direction.
*Appearent lack of potency as described on container.
*Grilling of Officer by defence attorney. Appearently went off the scale.
*Lack of dependability of OC in majority of cituations.
NOW, this one thru me for a loop. *One more item on the duty belt to consider as appropriete for the case at hand. Slows down the reaction process because the officer must decide if less or more force should be used for the matter at hand before drawing and deplowing OC.
AND. The winner is. *OC is for use on dogs.
I went right out and removed the OC Spray from my duty belt. (Not really, since we're required to qualify and carry it, for some reason.)
Comments were made, "OC out-Taser in".
Anyone heard OC is on the decline? How bout your department, unit, company?
Several matters concerning problems with sprays were mentioned. I just listened. I'll give a few I remember hearing;
*Loss of pressure in container; failed to stop aggressor.
*OC not effective on persons under influence of certain drugs.
*OC caused heart failure of some persons under influence of certain drugs.
*Time elpse from decision to use OC to discharge; failed to stop knife attack in a timely mannor.
*Officer got OC'd because of wind direction.
*Appearent lack of potency as described on container.
*Grilling of Officer by defence attorney. Appearently went off the scale.
*Lack of dependability of OC in majority of cituations.
NOW, this one thru me for a loop. *One more item on the duty belt to consider as appropriete for the case at hand. Slows down the reaction process because the officer must decide if less or more force should be used for the matter at hand before drawing and deplowing OC.
AND. The winner is. *OC is for use on dogs.
I went right out and removed the OC Spray from my duty belt. (Not really, since we're required to qualify and carry it, for some reason.)
Comments were made, "OC out-Taser in".
Anyone heard OC is on the decline? How bout your department, unit, company?
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