Calls for spit and bite guards to be withdrawn in NI
Amnesty International is calling on the Police Service of Northern Ireland to reconsider the use of spit and bite guards.
The mesh hood like apparatus was introduced in March at the hight of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Chief Constable, Simon Byrne, decided to issue the guards to response teams, custody staff, armed officers and cell van crews after Police personnel reported being spat at by people claiming to have Coronavirus.
According to the PSNI the mesh hoods have been used 70 time since March 2020.
However, now all operational police officers across the country are to be issued with spit and bite guards for the duration of the pandemic.
This is despite the fact the Policing Board has recommended their use be phased out by the end of the year, instead a full roll-out will commence on December 18.
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, said the decision was "extraordinary'' and is now calling on the Chief Constable to reconsider his decision.
He said: “The Chief Constable rushed to deploy spit hoods without evidence that they are effective in preventing the transmission of Covid-19.
“Now he is doubling down on that flawed decision despite the potential increased risks of Covid spread to both officers and the public, and in defiance of the Policing Board.
“Placing a hood over someone's head is a significant use of force and one that raises key concerns over cruel and degrading treatment, as well as serious potential health risks.''
The majority being issued with the guards will comprise local policing teams, neighbourhood policing teams, Tactical Support Group Road Policing Unit, District Support Team and Specialist Operations Branch.
Anyone receiving them must complete mandatory online training.
Officers must activate body-worn video and every use must be notified to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable, Jonathan Roberts, said using the guards provide a high degree of reassurance to officers and staff and those currently issued with them comprise 11% of the total reported incidents within that period.
He said: "An enhanced roll-out which will commence on December 18 fulfils the Chief Constable's obligations under health and safety legislation which requires him to provide safe systems of work for all employees.
"We recognise this is a sensitive issue and I want to reassure the public that human rights considerations of deploying a spit and bite guard are at the forefront of this decision.
"We also want to ensure that 'the rights of the child' under the legal framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are referred to in our current policy.
"As such we have also amended our policy on the use of spit and bite guards to strengthen the message about the use of the guard on children over 10 and on vulnerable people.''
Most police services in England, Scotland and Wales have been using the guards for some years.
A Board spokesman said: "The published report sets out in some detail the rationale and basis for the recommendation made, the importance of meeting the duty of care responsibilities to officers and staff in respect of providing a safe working environment, the protection this equipment actually delivers along with the proportionality of its use on members of the public.
"Board members will wish to discuss this decision with the chief constable at the Board meeting in December.''
Police Federation for Northern Ireland Chairman Mark Lindsay said they will give officers increased protection during the pandemic.
"The chief constable is to be congratulated for making this decision.
“Within the PSNI, it will be universally welcomed.
"The PFNI has consistently made the case for the wholesale introduction of spit and bite guards to all frontline officers who too often have to deal with offenders who spit at or bite them.
"I recognise this decision may be criticised by some, but I would respond by saying that our men and women have human rights too and deserve to be protected when threatened and assaulted.''