THERE is a very clear correlation when it comes to spit guard use \u2013 don\u2019t spit at officers and you won\u2019t be put in a guard.<\/p>\n
That is the view of Essex Police Federation, after new figures showed use of spit guards has increased in the county.<\/p>\n
The protective light mesh hoods are used to prevent officers being bitten or having blood and saliva sprayed on them if suspects spit at them.<\/p>\n
The increase in their use has prompted criticism from human rights group Liberty, who said being placed in a guard was traumatic.<\/p>\n
Any officer who has been spat at has to be tested for contagious diseases such as Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s simple,\u201d said Federation Chairman Steve Taylor, \u201cif you don\u2019t want to be put in a spit guard, don\u2019t spit at people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re daft enough to start spitting at police officers, if you\u2019re vile enough to start spitting when there\u2019s a police officer present, officers in Essex are going to put you in a spit guard. And if you don\u2019t want that to happen, don\u2019t spit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Proactive spitting deterrent messages need to be sent out by the courts, Steve added.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt needs to come from the judiciary. It needs to come from the court processes. Physically putting people in a spit guard is a temporary, reactive measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvariably, that fact that you\u2019re going to end up in a spit guard, is that going to stop you spitting at someone? I\u2019d question whether or not it will. But a dim view taken by the bench when you come before them, that\u2019s more of a deterrent.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter we got this fantastic piece of kit to help prevent those vile individuals continuing to be vile by spitting at people, we need the support [of the courts].<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an assault, at the end of the day. Assaulting an emergency service worker. We asked for it to be considered more strongly in the [Protect the Protectors] legislation, and that wasn\u2019t carried.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it does not do away from the fact that spitting at people is an assault, with laws to deal with that and consequences for those that are found guilty of having done those things.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo handcuffs deter people? I\u2019d argue they don\u2019t. But they\u2019re a ready part of an officer\u2019s equipment and spit guards should fall into that bracket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Proper use and the safety of individuals should they be placed in spit guards is maintained too, Steve said.<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cThis isn\u2019t equipment that we deploy and we just leave. We are responsible for those against who we use it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficers monitor people that are in spit guards. If there\u2019s the slightest risk to them or their health then steps can be taken, the guard can be taken off. Everything is risk assessed.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"