25/02/2004

Policing Board endorse PSNI use of CS spray

The Policing Board has confirmed it has rubber stamped a proposal from the PSNI to introduce CS gas spray.

A spokesperson said that the Board had sought assurances from the PSNI that stringent guidelines, in line with Association of Chief Police Officer and Human Rights requirements, would be developed for the use of the spray.

The Policing Board spokesperson said the Board recognised how essential it was that the public had confidence in how the police deal with violent confrontations and monitors police performance in dealing with such situations.

"In December 2003 the Board published a comprehensive Human Rights Monitoring Framework which sets out how the Board will monitor PSNI compliance with the Human Rights Act.

"This includes specific details on monitoring police use of public order equipment including baton rounds, water cannon, and hand held incapacitant spray," she concluded.

The decision, however, has come under attack from Sinn Féin's Human Rights spokesperson, Caitriona Ruane. She said: "Anybody with a passing knowledge of human rights and civil liberties will well know that arming the PSNI with yet another means of repression is a recipe for disaster."

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