Oleoresin Capsicum: an Analysis of the Implementation of Pepper Spray into the Law Enforcement Use of Force Continuum in a Selected Police Department.

• Main Author: Adkins, Lydia Denise
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2003
• Subjects: Use of Force; Pepper Spray; Force Continuum; OC; Oleoresin Capsicum; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Legal Studies; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/779; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1936&context=etd

This study focused on the use of oleoresin capsicum (OC) as a means of force and also tested the effectiveness of OC. A medium-size police agency was studied from 1991-2001. The following reports were collected for analysis: excessive force reports, reports of officers injured during arrests, use of hands-on restraint, and use of police baton. This study revealed an increase in reported incidents of excessive force and a reduction in the number of officers injuired making arrests while using various defensive techniques. Implementing OC into the force continuum remains a solid decision in review of this research. This study has shown oleoresin capsicum to be a safe, effective level in the law enforcement force continuum.