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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-CPO-003 OC Spray - Use of COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2016-CPO-003 TITLE: OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) SPRAY – USE OF ADOPTED: February 11, 2016 (C-53/16) SUPERCEDES NO: 2012-CPO-003 TO BE REVIEWED: PAGE NO: 1 of 3 As required by the policies of the Alberta Department of the Solicitor General and Public Security, as a condition to employ Peace Officers, a policy must be adopted by Council that states the proper care and control of prohibited weapons, including Oleoresin Capsicum spray. PROCEDURES 1. County of Newell may issue O.C. (Oleoresin Capsicum) Spray to its Peace Officer who may be required to utilize O.C. Spray during the execution of Peace Officer duties providing that: a. The Peace Officer is eligible to be issued O.C. Spray; b. The O.C. Spray is the same strength and composition as that of the R.C.M.P.; c. O.C. Spray is utilized: i. As an aid in the arrest of a resisting person, or to control a person or crowd when lesser means are not likely to succeed, or have failed, and more severe means are not yet required; ii. Or to control an attack or threat of an attack from animals. 2. The issue of O.C. Spray to a Peace Officer is conditional upon the Peace Officer having met the qualifications, namely; a. Successful completion of a training course on the care, use and handling of O.C. Spray with the required recertification every 36 months, and approved by the Alberta Solicitor General Public Security Division; and b. Written approval from Alberta Solicitor General Public Security Division. 3. Peace Officers shall only carry and use O.C. Spray which is approved O.C. as per Sec. 19.8 subsection (f) of the Public Security Peace Officer Policy and Procedures Manuel. COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2016-CPO-003 TITLE: OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) SPRAY – USE OF ADOPTED: February 11, 2016 (C-53/16) SUPERCEDES NO: 2012-CPO-003 TO BE REVIEWED: PAGE NO: 2 of 3 4. Peace Officers may carry O.C. Spray only when on duty as a Peace Officer. 5. When O.C. Spray canisters are in the office and not in the possession of a Peace Officer, they must be stored in a locked cabinet. Replacement canisters must also be stored in a locked cabinet. 6. When O.C. Spray canisters are in possession of a Peace Officer at his residence, when it is not reasonable to have it locked at the office, the Peace Officer must ensure proper storage of the O.C. Spray, preferably in a locked cabinet. 7. The Supervisor of Community Peace Officers or designate will maintain a current list of all Peace Officers who have completed the O.C. spray course and are authorized to carry and use it. POST INCIDENT GUIDELINES 1. A Peace Officer involved in an occurrence where O.C. Spray was utilized on a human, either by himself or by any other Peace Officer, shall: a. Wait at least 10 seconds before approaching the subject who has been sprayed to allow the potency of the O.C. Spray in the air to diminish to a tolerable level, to avoid personal contamination; b. Encourage the subject who has been sprayed to relax and breathe normally; c. Decontaminate the subject at the first reasonable opportunity by exposing the affected area to fresh air and flushing the contaminated area with cool water if available; d. Provide immediate medical attention if the symptoms persist beyond reasonable limits as outlined in the training; and e. Not force the decontamination upon a subject who refuses decontamination although the Peace Officer responsible for the subject shall offer periodic access to water if available. COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2016-CPO-003 TITLE: OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) SPRAY – USE OF ADOPTED: February 11, 2016 (C-53/16) SUPERCEDES NO: 2012-CPO-003 TO BE REVIEWED: PAGE NO: 3 of 3 2. Peace Officers who during the course of their duties utilize O.C. Spray shall: a. Report the occurrence forthwith to the Director of Municipal Services and the Supervisor of Peace Officers; b. Report the occurrence forthwith to the R.C.M.P Detachment Commander, having jurisdiction over the area where the incident occurred; c. Complete a standard occurrence report outlining the circumstances surrounding the use of O.C. Spray; and d. Outline in the occurrence report details regarding place and time of the decontamination or refusal of decontamination by the subject, and all subsequent attempts at decontamination. 3. Peace Officers shall notify Alberta Solicitor General Public Security Division, in writing, of the circumstances surrounding the discharge of O.C. spray, within 2 days.