Provided 6-17-16
1516 RTKL 0181

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Office of School Safety

SUBJECT:

I.

Directive #9

PEPPER SPRAY - OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (O.C.) SPRAY

POLICY
A.

The use of O.C. Spray constitutes a "police use of force". Only trained
Patrol Personnel/Supervisors are justified in the use of O.C. Spray, a
less-than-lethal weapon, when they reasonably believe it to be necessary:
1.
2.

3.

4.

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 II.

B.

In all cases, the officer's/supervisor’s actions must be based solely in
response to the actions of the subject(s), along with the attending
facts and circumstances, which would cause the officer to reasonably
believe he/she has been placed in fear of imminent bodily injury in
carrying out those police actions.

C.

Prior to its issuance and authorization to carry O.C. Spray, all sworn
School Police Personnel/Supervisors will satisfactorily complete the
O.C. Spray training course.

D.

Personnel will carry only the approved-type O.C. Spray equipment.

E.

Once a violent person has been safely taken into custody and is
under control, there is no further justification for the continued use
of O.C. Spray. O.C. Spray will not be used at random or as a threat
of its intended use to gain compliance or information.

F.

The Chief Safety Executive of the Office of School Safety and the
pertinent Commander shall be notified of every incident regarding the
use of O.C. Spray.

PROCEDURE
A.

The O. C. canister produces a high-pressure stream of liquid with
an approximate effective maximum range of
eet. The O. C.
Spray can be used against subjects that are acting in a violent manner,
intoxicated, mentally deranged, or in a drug induced state.

B.

In delivering the spray, the point of aim will be
It is recommended that delivery
be in
CAUTIONARY NOTE:

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Due to the force of the liquid
stream, spraying O.C. Spray
directly into the eyes from a
distance of less than three
(3) feet could cause permanent eye
injury.

 III.

IV.

EFFECT OF O.C. SPRAY
A.

Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) is an inflammatory agent and is
naturally derived from oils and resins of the cayenne pepper plant. O.C.
is considered a less-than-lethal weapon system. O.C. Spray causes an
intense burning sensation of the skin and mucous membranes.

B.

O.C. Spray has a near-immediate effect on the individual sprayed. Once
sprayed, an individual's eyes will reflexively close because of
the burning, tearing and swelling of the eyes due to dilation of the
capillaries. Subjects usually become disoriented and are likely to
lose their balance. When inhaled, the respiratory tract is inflamed,
resulting in a swelling of the mucous membranes lining the
breathing passages and temporarily restricting breathing to short, shallow
breaths. The subject may experience choking, gagging and gasping for
breath. Other effects include burning sensation of the skin. While
temporary incapacitation occurs rapidly, the effects of O.C. Spray
subside after about 30 minutes.

C.

Because of its debilitating effects, officers should never spray O.C. into
the wind where they could be sprayed by “blowback”.

D.

Because of O.C.'s effects on their respiratory systems and their
susceptibility to breathing difficulties, care should be taken when using
O.C. Spray near infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and
persons with known respiratory and/or heart disease.

E.

Pepper spray is not effective in all cases. Use of pepper spray does
not relieve an officer from taking further sound defensive tactics, verbal
commands, or alternative force measures, as necessary.

OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN UTILIZING O.C. SPRAY
A.

First Aid Care and Decontamination of Subjects Sprayed by O.C.
1.

2.
3.

Before attempting to administer any first aid assistance or initiating
decontamination to a subject sprayed with O.C. who
is to be arrested or taken into custody, officers will ensure that the
subject is safely secured by use of handcuffs.
Calm the subject down; reassure him/her that the effects of the
spray are temporary.
Expose the subject to fresh air and if available at the scene of the
arrest, flush the contaminated area with large amounts of water.

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 B.

4.

Philadelphia Police Department will be contacted by School Police
Radio Dispatcher to transport the subject to the nearest hospital for
evaluation and treatment. Take the O.C. canister used during the
arrest along with the subject to the hospital.
NOTE: Serious/permanent eye damage can result if contacts are
not removed within four-six (4-6) hours after exposure.
Do not replace contact lenses back into the eyes until they
have been properly cleaned.

5.

To decontaminate premises indoors, ventilate by opening doors and
windows. Spray should dissipate within 15 to 45 minutes.

Reporting the Use of O.C. Spray
1.

2.

3.
4.

V.

When the O.C. Spray is used a SP - 16 and an incident report will
be submitted for the incident specifically noting the use
of O.C. Spray.
Prepare the "Use of Force Report."
a.
Complete all pertinent sections
b.
Sign and date
Submit completed report to your supervisor.
Supervisors will ensure that the original signed and
approved copy of the "Report" is sent to the pertinent
Commander by the end of the tour of duty.

TRAINING
A.

Training to Carry O.C. Spray
1.
2.
3.

Prior to being issued and authorized to carry O.C. Spray,
personnel must attend the O.C. Spray Training Course.
Personnel not trained to carry O.C. Spray WILL NOT be
authorized to carry/use O.C. Spray while on duty.
Arrangement for training will be made by the Office of School
Safety Training Officer.

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 VI.

ISSUANCE, STORAGE AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
A.

Initial Equipment Issue
1.
2.

3.

B.

Safe Storage of O.C. Spray
1.

2.
C.

Always treat O.C. Spray equipment as a weapon and store in
a secure place when not on duty. O.C. Spray projectors will
not be kept in vehicles.
Do not store in temperature above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Replacement of Issued O.C. Spray Projectors
1.

D.

The Office of School Safety Training Officer will issue all O.
C. Spray equipment to those qualified personnel.
All sworn personnel that have successfully completed O.C. Spray
Training will be issued an O.C. Spray projector and carrying
case.
All sworn personnel receiving O.C. Spray equipment will be
required to fill out an O.C. Spray projector inventory control
card. Inventory control cards will be kept on file by the Office of
School Safety Training Officer.

Officers authorized to carry O.C. Spray will periodically check
the manufacturer's date on the side of their projector/canister to
ensure that it has not expired. Expiration dates can be
determined by four (4) years to the manufacture date printed on
the projector/canister. If the projector/canister is expired or
damaged, leaking, or empty from usage, it will be replaced by
reporting with the canister to the Training Officer, Office of
School Safety.

Replacement of Lost or Stolen O.C. Spray Equipment
1.
2.

Lost or stolen O.C. Spray equipment will be reported to the
pertinent Commander. In addition, an Incident Report shall
be prepared and submitted to the Incident Reporting Unit.
Sworn personnel will:
a.
Prepare a memorandum, in triplicate, to their
respective Commander fully explaining the
circumstances surrounding the loss or theft.
b.
Along with the approved memorandum, report to
the Training Officer, Office of School Safety or
designee for the issue of a replacement
projector/canister.

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 3.

4.

5.

E.

Supervisor will:
a.
Review and approve/disapprove memorandum
and permit the officer to obtain a replacement
O.C. Spray Canister.
b.
Conduct a full investigation of the loss or theft of the
O.C. Spray equipment.
Distribution of Memorandum:
a.
Original – Pertinent Commander
b.
First copy – Commander, Support Services
c.
Second copy- Training Officer, O.S.S.
When the supervisor's investigation reveals that the loss or theft
was due to negligence or carelessness on the part of the officer,
he/she will be subject to disciplinary action and/or be required to
pay for all lost/stolen equipment.

Return of Issued O.C. Spray Equipment
1.

2.

Upon retirement or termination of employment, all sworn
personnel issued O.C. Spray will return projector and holster to
the Training Officer, Office of School Safety.
The Training Officer, O.S.S. will ensure the return of equipment
is noted on the O.C. Spray Inventory Control Card.

3-12-04
Revised 7-12-06
JUNE 2015

BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF SAFETY EXECUTIVE
OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY

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