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Marcus_1
Marcus_1's picture
Police issue spithoods

Having been subjected to being spat at by the great unwashed numerous times in my current rols as a front line police officer and in my previous job as a prison officer, I know first hand how horrendous it can be and how it can affect you mentally. I have alsways said I would rather be punched than spat at, it's filthy plain and simple.

So it's nice to see that these are now being issued in a least one policing area and that they are compliant with human rights (and Geneva Convention - somethign about not reducing a person sensory perception).

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/spit-hoods-for-police-131715/

In all honesty, this is the safest method of stopping someone from spitting for all involved, it's quick and a definite deterrant whilst not putting the officers in danger. From the perspective of the detained person spitting, yes it looks rediculous and hardly a wanted fashion accessory but also it means that they are not held on the floor in a prone position for any longer than is absolutely necessary (if at all) meeaning that there is a lower risk of positional asphyxiation and other medical complaints as a result of being put on the floor and the added stresses that adds to the body.

Surely this can only be a good thing and it makes me wonder why it has taken so long for them to be brought into use.

Tau
Tau's picture

With my job I have a very healthy working relationship with the Police. I've had a patient try to spit on me just purely because I was the person in front of them.

They seem controversial but I'm of the view that if you're the right side of the law then there's no issue.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

The former engineer in me likes the elegance of that solution to a very inelegant problem.

On the other side, it is worth remembering that spitting was a method recommended to karateka in at least two of the books in the 1930s.

“One could spit on the opponent’s face to distract them” – Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan, 1935

“If you spit in a person’s face they will unconsciously turn their face away in revulsion; you can then use that natural response to help with both your attack and defence.” – Morinobu Itoman, The Study of Karate Techniques, 1934

All the best,

Iain

Mulberry4000
Mulberry4000's picture

They are daft and a slegdehammer to crack a nut, and can be abused just like tasers are.

Tau
Tau's picture

Mulberry4000 wrote:

They are daft and a slegdehammer to crack a nut, and can be abused just like tasers are.

What's your alternative solution? 

Have you ever been spat on

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Mulberry4000 wrote:
They are daft and a slegdehammer to crack a nut

I can’t say I agree. Police officers should not have to deal with being spat on. Aside from being unpleasant, it can spread infections. You need a way to stop that from happening. A see-through hood, that allows the wearer to see and breath perfectly well, seems like a very elegant solution to me. Bottom line, if you don’t want one on your head, don’t spit at police officers.

What do you see as an alternative way to deal with the issue?

All the best,

Iain

Tau
Tau's picture

Iain Abernethy wrote:

 if you don’t want one on your head, don’t spit at police officers.

Or nurses. wink