The Queensland Police Service will conduct a 12 month trial of innovative safety gear to protect officers from prisoners who spit at them, Minister for Police Judy Spence and Commissioner Bob Atkinson said today. “Police held 10 week trial of spit nets in 11 watch houses last year,” Ms Spence said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Queensland Police Service will conduct a 12 month trial of innovative safety gear to protect officers from prisoners who spit at them, Minister for Police Judy Spence and Commissioner Bob Atkinson said today.
“Police held 10 week trial of spit nets in 11 watch houses last year,” Ms Spence said.
“As a result of this trial, the Queensland Police Service Ethical Standards Command has recommended a further, more comprehensive evaluation be undertaken – via a 12 month trial in eight major watch houses state wide.
“The trial will be evaluated in conjunction with officers from the Crime and Misconduct Commission,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said watch house officers have now undergone training in how to use the spit nets and watch house managers have been briefed regarding the objectives and evaluation methods of the trial.
“Under the guidelines of the trial, the spit nets will only be used on offenders who spit at police or have a history of spitting at police,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“If offenders co-operate with police and behave themselves, they will avoid the wearing of spit nets completely.”
Ms Spence said the trial was necessary as a means of identifying new ways to protect police from offensive behaviour.
“Spitting at someone who is doing their job is repulsive,” Ms Spence said.
“Some of the people who are in watch-houses have diseases such as Hepatitis and sometimes spit at police officers to try and pass on their diseases.
“These actions potentially expose police officers to months of worry while they wait for extensive and expensive medical tests, and often psychological treatment.”
The single use, disposable nets are much like what a bee-keeper wears.
They are light-weight mesh garments, through which an offender can see and breath freely.
“This is not about encroaching on the civil liberties of offenders, as some lawyers and community advocates will try to suggest,” Ms Spence said.
“It is about protecting the safety and health of police officers going about their job.
This story was released on 2007-06-11. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.