As part of their training, the RGP new recruits have today experienced the effect of  the Captor incapacitant spray.

A statement from the RGP follows below:

The latest group of RGP recruits have just endured probably the least  pleasant session of their entire training course. On Friday afternoon,  each of them experienced the effects of the Captor incapacitant spray. 

The Captor spray is used by the RGP, and by most police forces in UK,  as a non-lethal, temporary defensive weapon for use against someone  who, for instance, may be using violence to resist arrest or who  otherwise could not be restrained. 

When necessary, a police officer would squirt the spray into the  aggressor’s eyes causing an immediate loss of vision, short-term pain  and extreme discomfort – all of which last for about 20 – 30 minutes.  The spray does not affect the person’s breathing and it is non 

flammable.  

There are several reasons why the recruits need to experience for  themselves the incapacitation caused by the Captor spray. It is  important that they always understand the results of their actions and it  is equally important that they know how to give the necessary aftercare  to someone who has been sprayed.  

Whilst all the recruits understood the reasons for their Friday afternoon  experience, they were all extremely glad when it was all over!