Taiwanese police face challenges with pepper spray use and aftercare

Pepper spray has become a standard piece of equipment for police officers in Taiwan, with the Taipei City Police Department alone purchasing 3,000 bottles this year. However, infrequent practical training across various police departments has resulted in officers often learning critical usage techniques only after their first deployment, leading to a rise in accidental injuries.

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Pepper spray is easy to use to subdue suspects, but the trouble is having to take care of and clean up afterwards.

Officers note that pepper spray can be broadly categorized into mist or stream forms. While effective in subduing suspects, the aftermath presents significant challenges. Mist-form spray, known to disperse widely, has previously caused incidents where officers and others in enclosed spaces, like KTV rooms during brawls, were affected, forcing everyone to evacuate due to irritation. Newer, stream-form pepper sprays offer better targeting, reducing accidental exposure in both confined and open environments.

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Mist-form pepper spray disperses in the air after spraying, often affecting our own personnel.

Suspects typically experience immediate effects, including temporary blindness, tearing, coughing, and sneezing, incapacitating them for arrest. Yet, police regulations require officers to provide necessary medical assistance post-use. This involves cleaning and soothing the suspect, managing secretions, and, in severe cases, arranging immediate medical attention. These duties can consume several hours before interrogation can even begin.

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Suspects' eyes will be irritated and unable to open within seconds after being sprayed with pepper spray, followed by tearing, coughing, and sneezing, losing their ability to resist or attack, making it easier for officers to subdue and arrest them.

Taipei's police force previously acquired 2,500 bottles annually over the last four years. The increased procurement reflects the widespread use and the product's expiration dates. While primarily issued to frontline units like patrol stations and detective squads, supervisors can authorize distribution for specific operational needs.

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Officers must provide necessary rescue or medical assistance after using pepper spray, so colleagues are responsible for helping suspects wash and relieve their discomfort, and also for cleaning up their nasal and oral secretions.