LISTEN - PSNI officers to use spit and bite guards in custody suites

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By Rebecca Black, PA and Q Radio News

Police working in custody suites in Northern Ireland are set to receive spit and bite guards for protection from coronavirus.

The guards, made of mesh and plastic, are placed over the head of a person who is threatening to spit or bite officers.

The representative body for officers, the Police Federation, earlier called for the equipment to be deployed amid reports of constables being intentionally coughed at by people who said they had coronavirus.

Chairman Mark Lindsay urged the issuing of the spit and bite guards to allow officers to carry out their job "safely and professionally".

On Friday afternoon the Northern Ireland Policing Board said Chief Constable Simon Byrne had advised the board that an operational decision had been taken to introduce this equipment into custody suites.

In a statement, the board said it had supported this call.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd told the PA news agency that the spit and bite guards will be introduced into custody suites over the coming days.

"They will be introduced into that space, the wider introduction of them is a matter between the Chief Constable and Policing Board, I know those conversations are ongoing," he said.

Earlier this week, a man was released on bail at Belfast Magistrates' Court after being accused of intentionally coughing at police officers after telling them he had coronavirus. The man denies the charges against him.

ACC Todd said there has been "several" incidents of officers getting coughed on or spat at.

"Coughing and spitting over people is reprehensible at the best of times, it is completely reprehensible at the current time, and anyone who does it can expect to be arrested and brought before the courts," ACC Todd said.

ACC Todd also responded to criticism of measures in custody suites raised by North Belfast MP John Finucane, who claimed staff, prisoners and lawyers are being placed at risk.

"We have been aware of concerns from solicitors coming into custody suites to deal with people who have been arrested by police and we are working with them and their representative bodies to see how we do that," he said, adding video link and telephone conference technology was being used to reduce personal contact where possible," ACC Todd said.

"Of course it is the solicitors' responsibility and the company's responsibility to provide for the safety of their employees as it is mine for mine."

He said if people with coronavirus are arrested they are taken to a "specific Covid-19 section" within the custody suite where "all the staff are fully protected as are the officers arresting".

"The general population in custody is at no more risk than the general population anyway, and therefore we're protecting our officers and staff in those situations where they are most likely to be exposed by people with the Covid-19 virus," he added.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International is also calling for the introduction of Personal Protective Equpment for PSNI officers. 

Director Patrick Corrigan said:

“Our police officers are among those on the forefront of keeping people safe and we have an obligation to ensure that they too are safe. The government should ensure personal protective equipment is made available to frontline officers without delay.

“Such kit could include masks, gloves, boot covers, coveralls and goggles which may help protect officers’ right to health and minimise the risk of contracting the disease.”

Meanwhile, he cautioned against the issue of spit hoods for use on members of the public, following a call for this by the Police Federation of Northern Ireland:

Director Patrick Corrigan said: “Our police officers are among those on the forefront of keeping people safe and we have an obligation to ensure that they too are safe. The government should ensure personal protective equipment is made available to frontline officers without delay.

 

“Such kit could include masks, gloves, boot covers, coveralls and goggles which may help protect officers’ right to health and minimise the risk of contracting the disease.”

However, Mr Corrigan has cautioned against the sue of spit hoods for use on members of the public, until specific guidance has been developed on the on the risks and effectiveness for police officers and members of the public.

He said If they are ultimately deployed, they must be used with extreme caution.

 

 

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