Pepper spray an effective deterrent, say police

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Police are defending their use of pepper spray as an effective deterrent and say the painful capsicum extract helps protect officers from physical harm.

The comments follow new figures showing Wanganui police's use of pepper spray to subdue offenders has dropped.

Wanganui police used the spray 29 times in the year to June 30, a fall on the previous two years. Nationally, pepper spray use has remained relatively consistent, with police resorting to using it 1530 times in the last financial year, compared with 1515 the previous year.

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray is about 1000 times more potent than Jalepeno peppers. It causes immediate closing of the eyes and a burning sensation, difficulty breathing, runny nose and coughing. The effects generally last about 30-45 minutes. While the spray itself isn't lethal, it can cause death in combination with medical conditions like asthma.

In August this year, Wanganui man Shane White was pepper-sprayed when he racially abused police and charged at an officer like he was going to tackle him.

In September last year, an intoxicated Morgan Valerie Weastell, 22, was pepper-sprayed after she hit a Wanganui police constable in the face.

Local police declined to comment on the Wanganui figures, referring questions to national headquarters.

A spokesman said pepper spray use fluctuated over time, and did not reflect any local trends. "Despite these fluctuations, crime nationally has been steadily dropping in recent years, as has the number of assaults on police."

This was partly thanks to increased access to a range of tactical options, including pepper spray, and training.

Between March 2010 and June 2013, force was used in 0.2 per cent of face-to-face encounters. Pepper spray was used in 32 per cent of these incidents.

As well as trialling more powerful OC spray and Tasers, police have expanded their arsenal of non-lethal options to include a "sponge round" which can be fired from up to 35m away.

Police received regular training on pepper spray use, which focused heavily on sound judgment and good decision making.

In the mid-1990s, the US Department of Justice cited nearly 70 fatalities linked to pepper spray use.

However, New Zealand Police Association president Greg O'Connor said pepper spray was a safer alternative to physical force and hugely effective as a deterrent for offenders. It was also one of the best ways to avoid injury, he said.

The stronger pepper spray trialled in the Bay of Plenty late last year would be effective on those offenders who "literally" didn't feel pain because of drugs and alcohol, Mr O'Connor said.