Proposals to arm officers with CS spray considered

Unionists have reacted favourably to proposals currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in which PSNI officers will be equipped with CS spray to control public order situations.

DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said he had raised the issue at a board meeting in November and backed the move as a "sensible measure".

Ulster Unionist board member Alan McFarland said officers in the PSNI should be given the same access to the spray as other police forces in the United Kingdom.

He added: "This is a directional spray that should not be equated with traditional CS gas tossed into a crowd. Providing it is cost efficient, I don't think we should be telling the chief constable what he needs."

However, the SDLP's Joe Byrne said he wanted to see a formal presentation of any new measures before making judgement.

He added: "I recognise that police would need to have some means to get control of riot situations. Whenever I see an objective case, then we will be able to make an objective opinion."

Chief Constable Hugh Orde wants to introduce the weapon, which incapacitates offenders for a short time, to help his officers make arrests during civil disturbances.

The PSNI confirmed at the weekend that research had been carried out to examine the effectiveness of the spray, which is used commonly throughout England.

A police spokesman said: "CS spray is used by other police forces to provide officers with other means of dealing proportionately, and in a graduated manner, with situations where there is potential for physical violence against either the officer or others.

"It would be in this context that the PSNI would seek to use CS spray. The PSNI research has culminated in Chief Constable Hugh Orde putting forward a proposal in the shape of a business case to the Policing Board."

It is thought the board will debate the proposal when it meets in Belfast later this week.

(MB)