January 11, 2012
A few weeks ago, I attended an introduction to OC (pepper) spray class.
In order for the officers to get certified to carry OC spray, they are required to pass a written test. EPS officers also get exposed to the spray. It shows them how their bodies react, and it’s a lesson to use OC spray only when necessary.
After a tough week of varying stressful sessions, Dec. 30 was the big exposure day. It’s often considered to be a milestone that recruits never forget.
After a classroom session, the recruits went into the gym to observe their Class Coordinator, Sgt. Cech, get exposed and go through the scenario. I thought it was so great for him to lead by example and show the recruits they can push through the pain and complete what they need to after being exposed.
The recruits took their written exams, breaked for lunch, and then prepared for their exposures.
One of the coolest parts of the exercise was to see what a team the class has become. They cheer for each other, they help each other, and they are there for each other. They all want their classmates to succeed.
Exposure time
An officer safety training officer aims the canister at the recruit’s face and presses the button, releasing OC spray aimed at their eyes.
The recruit takes a couple seconds then runs at their first assailant, telling them to get on the ground. From there the recruit fights through the searing pain in their eyes, grabs their handcuffs from their belt, and handcuffs the assailant. All the while, they have to verbalize what they’re doing and what they want the person being handcuffed to do.
Their eyes are starting to dry now, making it feel like sandpaper is rubbing across their eyeballs. At the next station, the recruit faces three aggressors and physically fights for 30 seconds. This seems like an eternity for an onlooker; I can’t imagine how long it feels for them.
At this point the pain is intensifying. They only have one station left: find cover and radio in their location to dispatch.
Although you think the pain can’t get worse, after you stop moving and don’t have to focus on specific tasks, it does.
They go with a partner to clean water and try to get the spray off their face. The pain is causing a serious itch that will only get worse if scratched. They head back to the gym to let their eyes clear of the spray.
The rest of their team is still being tested by the exposure, so with swollen and burning eyes they cheer on their classmates now knowing what they’re going through.
All in all it was a real team and confidence building day.
(Click on all images to enlarge.)
Questions or comments?
If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me at recruitblog@edmontonpolice.ca. I’ll answer the best I can.