News Shorts and Other Busyness

Police To Use CS Gas Despite Concerns

Squall 12, Spring 1996, pg. 9.

Sixteen police forces in England and Wales will begin using CS gas canisters at the beginning of March as part of a six month trial, despite concerns about their safety.

If the trial proves “successful” the canisters, the size of a tube of solid glue, could become a regular part of the constabulary’s armament.

Two weeks before the trials were due to begin it emerged that the Home Office scientist, Dr Jill Tan, who gave the canisters the green light, suffered blistering to her face after being sprayed with the gas.

It has also emerged that a Northamptonshire policeman - one of the country’s top self-defence experts - will not be training officers in the new weapon because his chief constable is worried about being sued by injured members of the public.

Chief Constable Ted Crew said: “I am advised that were there to be a civil claim resulting from the use of CS spray, I might find that because we had trained the officers using it, I have some liability. It didn’t seem much sense taking the risk when Northamptonshire police officers are getting no direct benefits from its use.”

Despite these concerns the Association of Chief Police Officers insist that the hand held sprays are safe.