Met police firearms

[Fedster + 1,307]

Unique look was developed by sergeant.

 

Another force has introduced spit guards to boost officers' safety – but Leicestershire Police has developed its own kit which does not cover a detainee's entire head.

More than half of forces in England and Wales have brought in the devices to help officers in recent years.

Chief officers at Leicestershire Police say they wanted an alternative to the common full-face hood.

Sergeant Mel Thomas from Leicestershire Police skills training came up with the new design.

He said: “We had concerns about the full head spit hoods as it is much harder to see a person’s eyes and monitor their reactions.

“Also taken into consideration was the public perception of placing a full hood over a person’s head.

“This design serves the purpose of protecting officers, is less restrictive for the person wearing it and by only masking the lower face we hope it will be less alarming for the general public.”

The guard is made of breathable nylon.

ACC Jason Masters said: “We take the health and safety of our officers extremely seriously and spitting at them is not acceptable.

“The spit guard being introduced to all front line operational police officers has been developed by taking best practice from across the country, and incorporating it into an item that provides protection for the officer without generating panic in the person wearing it.”

Tiff Lynch, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation said: “As a force, it is essential that we provide officers and staff the best protective equipment we can. Spit guards are now an essential part of that protective kit.

“I have heard people criticise the police for using spit guards but to me it’s quite simple: if you don’t want to wear a spit guard then don’t spit at a police officer.”

Police Oracle revealed last year that a judicial review against the use of spit guards has been launched.

Solicitors say their use should have been curtailed after a review criticised the hooding and leg restraints placed on a disabled 11-year-old girl by Sussex Police.

View On Police Oracle

 

[David + 4,981]

Quote

Chief officers at Leicestershire Police say they wanted an alternative to the common full-face hood.

Yes, that the vile individuals don't do it.

[Pavillion 43]

Personally if you spit at somebody expect a serious reaction. No problem with spit hoods being used when it can be justified.

[MerseyLLB 8,426]

I'd like to see how they stand up to an actual resisting prisoner. The current over the head ones come off easily enough so this one looks as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I'm out.

[a-bothan-spy 81]

I'd like to see how they stand up to an actual resisting prisoner. The current over the head ones come off easily enough so this one looks as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I'm out.

Beat me to it.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

My dog would get that off in seconds without using her paws. Rub it against your shoulder or pretty much anything else and it's down around your neck.

[Conor James 9]

I have to say that this looks like a far more comfortable design, I’m sure if they are not used willy nilly and there use can be justified then that’s fine, however those old ones were just barbaric. I hope everyone is happy with the new ones. There use will still have to be strictly monitored I might add

Edited April 1, 2018 by Conor James

[Reece + 5]

1 hour ago, Conor James said:

I have to say that this looks like a far more comfortable design, I’m sure if they are not used willy nilly and there use can be justified then that’s fine, however those old ones were just barbaric. I hope everyone is happy with the new ones. There use will still have to be strictly monitored I might add

Have you ever been spat at directly in the face Conor? Because I'll tell you, that's the only thing that's barbaric. I agree that deploying them must be justifiable but it's about time these were rolled out across the country as it's much safer for everyone involved. The alternative is physically restraining someone to prevent them from spitting at you, which I would suggest carriers much more of a risk than a spit guard/hood. 

 

I'll be interested to see how these stand the real world tests but hopefully it's better than nothing.

[Conor James 9]

1 minute ago, Reece said:

Have you ever been spat at directly in the face Conor? Because I'll tell you, that's the only thing that's barbaric. I agree that deploying them must be justifiable but it's about time these were rolled out across the country as it's much safer for everyone involved. The alternative is physically restraining someone to prevent them from spitting at you, which I would suggest carriers much more of a risk than a spit guard/hood. 

 

I'll be interested to see how these stand the real world tests but hopefully it's better than nothing.

Fortunately I have never been spat at in the face as no one has ever wanted to do that to me thank god, however those previous spit masks were ghastly atleast with these ones if the suspect feels to uncomfortable or struggles to breathe he can easily wipe this one off with his shoulder, atleast it looks that way in the video.

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

1 hour ago, Conor James said:

those old ones were just barbaric.

No they're not.

[Reece + 5]

10 minutes ago, Conor James said:

Fortunately I have never been spat at in the face as no one has ever wanted to do that to me thank god, however those previous spit masks were ghastly atleast with these ones if the suspect feels to uncomfortable or struggles to breathe he can easily wipe this one off with his shoulder, atleast it looks that way in the video.

I can understand how the full hood ones may look bad for public perception, a member of the public might not know what they're used for, or what they're made of. I'll be very interested to see however if they are more effective than these partial face ones. I think the suspect being able to remove it defeats the point, as then they have the opportunity to begin spitting again. I can assure you that if you use a spit guard/hood you don't just put it on and leave the suspect to it, you're continually assessing their wellbeing and making sure they can breathe.

You should consider the wider impacts of spitting though, it's not just the initial degrading assault, it's the months of tests afterwards to make sure you haven't caught anything contagious.

 

Edited April 1, 2018 by Reece
typo

[sierragolf95 + 55]

The old ones looked far more practical, I bet these ones would come off no problem with very little effort, maybe putting it over the ears with some sort of elastic drawstring at the back would be more secure. That being said, it's better than nothing.

[Conor James 9]

13 minutes ago, Indiana Jones said:

No they're not.

I think they are 

I’m pretty sure thats the reason there being discontinued.

[sierragolf95 + 55]

1 minute ago, Conor James said:

I think they are 

I’m pretty sure thats the reason there being discontinued.

They're being discontinued because little snowflakes don't like them. Quite frankly until some disgusting rodent has spat in your face, you really don't have a leg to stand on. Believe me when I tell you a thin spit hood is far better for them than me pressing their face into the concrete to prevent them doing it again.

[Hyphen + 693]

The problem with the old ones is the public were told that they were bad. I don’t think many normal and reasonable people had an issue with them, providing they were used when necessary. 

@Conor James please don’t use such silly words like ‘barbaric’. It’s pathetic. It’s a piece of mesh that goes on someone’s head when they’re assaulting people. It’s better than knees, punches, pushing peoples heads down, wrestling around and pulling/ripping peoples clothes. Also, let’s not forget unnecessary victims of assault. 

I challenge you to explain why you think all of the above is somehow less ‘barbaric’? Also with you views and stance on use of force, why when it comes to spitting do you advocate higher levels of force being used?

When I read stories like this it really makes me shudder. We as the police are becoming more and more spineless. We should be saying ‘don’t spit at cops/public and you won’t get a hood put on’. It’s not rocket science.

As usual the bosses are celebrated for appeasing and sucking up to people.