Tag Archives: Spit hoods

 

Incidents of spitting and the use of anti-spit hoods (top) as used by An Garda Síochána

This afternoon.

Ahead of a report by the Policing Board of Northern Ireland on the PSNI’s use of spit hoods expected at Midnight…

Via RTÉ:

…Gardaí have used anti-spit hoods 118 times while policing during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from the Policing Authority.

The hoods, the use of which has been criticised by both the Authority and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, have been used 100 times on males, 18 times on females and six times on children.

They have been deployed mainly in Dublin (on 51 occasions) and mostly during assaults and public order incidents – 54 times for public order offences and 34 times during an assault.

In 79 cases, the person appeared to be intoxicated, while in 16 cases the detainee was believed to have a mental health issue. In one case, the person was perceived to have “obvious signs of a learning disability“.

Report in full here

Policing Authority report finds strong compliance with virus restrictions (RTÉ)

Early graduation at Templemore last month (left); a spit hood

Last night

The Policing Authority published an interim report on policing performance during the COVID19 crisis.

The authority identified two key oversight issues…

New recruits:

The attestation of recruits, who had not yet completed their training and their deployment to assist in the current crisis is a matter of concern for the Authority, while the Commissioner’s reasons for doing so are well understood. .

The Authority welcomed the assurances from the Commissioner that the trainees concerned will return to complete their full training and pass out from the college when the current
crisis eases

There was a similar welcome for the Commissioner’s confirmation that the
trainees are assigned as ‘assisting members’ with limited powers in their own right,

Spit hoods:

While recognising the harm that may be caused to members of the Garda Síochána and members of the public by spitting, given the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, it is with some considerable reluctance that the Authority views the introduction of this new device.

The Authority has specifically requested a number of clarifications from the Commissioner on their use. For example, concerns arise that while the procedure stated that the use of anti-spit hoods is not permitted on children under 12 years of age, it is silent on their use on children aged 12 and over.

It is the Authority’s clear view that the document should make explicit provision in respect of the circumstances that would warrant their use on children, or categories of children, within the group aged between 12 and 18…

Full report here

Previously: Cougher Face Packs

Gardaí are to be issued with 16,000 “spit hoods” to place over suspects’ faces

This morning.

The Irish Times reports:

The plastic devices have been criticised by human rights groups in the UK – where they are widely deployed by police forces – as dangerous and degrading.

The Garda has ordered 16,000 spit hoods, which cover the entire face of the detainee and stops them spitting at, coughing on or biting officers.

Anyone?

Coronavirus: Gardaí to receive controversial ‘spit hoods’ during crisis ( The Irish Times)

Yesterday: Phlegm Of Fury

Pic: Hampshire Constabulary