The Queensland Police Service has outlawed “spit hoods” that protect officers from being bitten or spat upon in watchtowers.
The prohibition, which went into effect on Friday, was applauded by civil liberties groups, who stated that “there is no valid cause to place a bag over someone’s head.”
To prevent criminals from biting or spitting on officers, more PPE, protective screens, further training, and other tactics will be implemented.
There will be an increase in PPE, protective screens, training, and other methods to prevent offenders from biting or spitting on cops (pictured, a man being arrested wearing a spit hood)
The face covers made of mesh cloth with a band around the neck are intended to restrict offenders and have rarely been employed in watchhouse custody.
The hoods were deployed 138 times between 2015 and 2022, or 0.04 percent of the time period’s total population in police custody.
The 2009 introduction of the restraint technique in Queensland was restricted to trained personnel and was overseen by senior authorities.
The matter was raised by the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner and the Queensland Family and Children’s Commission, prompting the police to reconsider their lawsuit.
The decision was made following collaboration with the state’s police union, other policing jurisdictions, and a variety of government departments, according to Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll (pictured) acknowledged community concerns on the use of police watchhouse safety hoods.
She stated, “Before formally discontinuing the usage of safety hoods in police watchhouses, we conducted a detailed assessment of the problem and acknowledged the community’s concerns regarding their implementation.”
The Queensland Police Service is committed to enhancing its processes to ensure that the community it serves receives high-quality policing services.
Additionally, the ban was influenced by the increased availability of PPE for officers and watchhouse personnel, as well as the option to segregate prisoners.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler told the media on Tuesday that the choice was not simple and that there were alternative methods to minimize spitting and biting.
He stated, “Use of force is always predicated on the idea of using the least amount of force necessary; we normally handle situations through discussion.”
However, it may be necessary to restrain someone who is spitting directly in your face; you should tilt their face away from you so that the spittle is not directed at you.
The hoods were deployed 138 times between 2015 and 2022, or 0.04 percent of the time period’s total population in police custody (pictured, a Brisbane Watchhouse)
Queensland Corrective Services continue to deploy hoods in the state’s jail system as a “last-ditch preventative measure.”
Queensland Corrective Services is evaluating its protocols and rules regarding persons who bite or spit at officers in order to minimize the risk to officers and detainees, a Queensland Corrective Services official told Daily Mail Australia.
As with any significant use of force, safety hood deployments are documented and reviewed by local and statewide safety committees to ensure that they are used responsibly.
Michael Berkman, a Greens representative from Maiwar, praised the news and denounced the use of spit hoods.
“Despite the availability of clear alternatives such as PPE, spit hoods have been used on children and adults in jails and watchhouses,” he explained.
There is no justification for placing a sack over someone’s head.
Other police forces, like those in the ACT and Northern Territory, continue to utilize hoods on both adults and minors.
South Australia outlawed the use of hoods on adults in 2021, however Western Australian police still use them on occasion.