HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-10-07, Page 18Page 16
Times Advocate, October 7, 1992
Y
COMMUNITY
Pepper spray to become alternative
tool for members of Ontario police
By Ray Lewis
EXETER - New regulations on
the use of
force and
code of con-
duct for po-
lice oft era
have been
released by
the Solicitor
General Al-
lan C Pil-
key, which could see the use of a
new tool by officers before the new
year.
The Solicitor General has made
an announcement in support of
new regulations with emphasis on
less -than -lethal force options, en-
dorsing the use of aerosol weapons
by Ontario police services. This
includes the use of oleoresin capsi-
cum, commonly known as cayenne
pepper spray. All officers using
the spray must undergo specialized
training in its use.
Pepper spray, a combination of
denatured alcohol, distilled water
and cayenne pepper, has been prov-
en as a very affective agent in help-
ing officers to protect themselves
in sticky situations. The weapon
offers immediate incapacitation,
appears affective on most of the
population, and requires minimal
decontamination. The active ingre-
dient is said to have no harmful
medical effects.
Although it hasn't been intro-
duced to area law enforcement offi-
cers as yet, many expect training to
begin in the very near future.
"We're going to have some per-
sonal safety training later this fall
so I expect well be introduced to it
then," said Exeter OPP staff ser-
geant Don Mclnnes. "1 haven't had
any experience with it personally,
but I hear it's tremendously effec-
tive."
"It appears to be pretty effec-
tive," agreed Exeter's acting police
chief Brad Sadler. "And n would
be a much better alternative than
shooting someone."
Currently, Ontario police officers
are governed in the use of force by
both federal and provincial statutes.
Section 8 of the new regulation
under the provincial Police Servic-
es Act states "a member of a police
force shall not draw a handgun or
discharge a firearm unless he or
she believes, on reasonable
grounds, that to do so is necessary
to protect against loss of life or se -
nous bodily harm."
At the same time, police officers
are governed by the federal Cnmi-
nal Code which allows an officer to
draw and discharge a firearm to ap-
prehend a suspect who attempts to
escape, unless the escape can be
prevented by less violent means.
Asked if overlapping regulations
would be a problem to officers in
the future, Sadler was positive.
"I think in the near future you'll
see changes in the Criminal Code
to complement provincial statutes,"
he said.
The Ministry has already made
the federal government aware of its
support to changes of that section
of the Criminal Code which allows
the use of lethal force against an in-
dividual who does not present a
risk to life.
Aside from this, an officer may
only discharge such a weapon to
call for assistance if there is no oth-
er option, or to destroy an animal
that is potentially dangerous or is
so badly injured its suffering be hu-
manely ended.
The new regulations fall under
the Police Services Act and amend
previous regulations under the old
Police Act, in keeping with the
Clare Lewis Task Force on Race
Relations and Policing. As pan of
the development process, a five-
week public consultation was un-
dertaken which included consulta-
tion with an 11 -member committee
on public and officer safety com-
posed of police and community
representatives.
The new regulation emphasizes
greatly enhanced training at both
the recruit and requalification lev-
els, less -than -lethal force options,
and accountability mechanisms.
The ministry will be providing
funds of $2.1 million this fiscal
year, and $3.5 million in 93/94 to
upgrade training programs at the
Ontario Police College. It will also
be providing financial suppon w
municipal police services for train-
ing purposes.
As well, the ministry' announced
it is issuing a prohibition on the
training on and use of the carotid
restraint or choke -hold by police
officers.
Ask Take Heart Huron
Take Heart
Huron is a
conununity-
/ based heart
I health pro-
gram aimed at
reducing the
risk associated
with heart disease. Our message
rs to be active, be smoke-free, eat
healthy food and cope with
stress. Ask Take Heart Huron is
a conursunity questions and an-
swer column that will address
practical ways to keep your
heart healthy. Questions in this
column will be answered by lo-
cal heart health experts. Please
call or send your questions about
how you can haw a heart
healthy lifestyle to:
Ask Take Heart Huron
Huron County Health Unit
Box 1120
Clinton, Ontario
NOM ILO
phone: 482-3416 or 1-800-265 -
5184
fax: (519) 482-7820
Question:
I work full-time and have a
young family. I'm tither too
tired or too busy to find the
time to be physically active.
What would you suggest?
Answer:
With today's hectic pace, this
is a problem that many people
encounter. Aim for a more active
lifestyle - you don't have to
"pump" weights or jog a six -
minute mile toe physically fit.
Try to schedule physical activity
into your daily routine - take a
walk outside during your lunch
hour or bike to the store instead
of driving. Include your family
as much as possible on walks,
hikes and biking outings. You
will all benefit from a mote ac -
five lifestyle.
Question:
I have heard that second-
hand smoke is bad for my
heart. Is there a law in Huron
County to protect people from
second -band smoke?
Answer:
When you inhale second-hand
smoke, things happen in your
body that you can't see. Your
heart beat 'speed up, your blood
.pressure rises and dangerous car-
bon monoxide enters your blood.
These changes force yogi heart to
work harder. Workplaces in Hu-
ron County are covered by Bill
194. This is the Ontario govern-
ment's policy in workplace smok-
ing. It requires that 75% of a
workplace be designated as
smoke-free. Public places are not
included in this law. Each munici-
pality in Huron County is respon-
sible for passing their own
smoke-free policy for restaurants
and public places.
Question:
My family has a history of
heart disease. What can 1 do to
reduce my risk of having a
heart attack or stroke?
Answer:
Heart disease is complicated
and many things can contribute to
its development. Although you
can't change your family history,
there are plenty of things that you
can do. By choosing not to smoke
and by following Canada's Guide-
lines For Healthy Bating, yah can
lower your risk for bean disease.
Increased physical activity can
improve your cardiovascular fit-
ness and decrease your stress lev-
el. 1f you would like more infor-
mation on these heart healthy
suggestions, call the Take Heart
Huron program.
Donate to
Chlldrens' Ald
Pat Down, right; reeve
of Usbome Township
presented Tom Knight,
director at the Huron
County Childrens' Aid
Society with a $1,500
cheque. The money was
raised by the Usbome
Sesquicentennial
committee and will be
used by the Christmas
Bureau.
What are
your
suggestions
for
fire prevention?
Christopher Roelands
Mt. Carmel - Grade 6
"Check fire alarms once a
month. Also, make sure all
electrical plugs are not get-
ting frayed.
Sarah Breen
Mt. Carmel - Grade 5
"Have a plan of how to get
out of the house during a
fire."
Christine Glavin
Mt. Cannel - Grade 5
"Never overload the socket
with cords and never put
paint near heated spots."
Heather Hogarth
Mt. Carmel - Grade 6
"That every house has a
smoke alarm upstairs and
downstairs and at least one
or two fire extinguishers.
Jonathan Hard%'
Mt. Carmel - Grade 6
"You should have a plan to
get out,and have a
meeting place
in case someone
is still in there.
Also, have a fire
extinguisher
at each
doorway."
Alert the
Media!
Call the..Tlmels Advocate. 24 hours a day
(answering iachine iferbtrsiness heats)
235-1331
BE A POWER SAVER
Keep your energy bill
in shape.......attend our
Power Saver Info. Night
When:
Where:
Wednesday, October 14th 4 - 9 p.m.
Exeter Public School
Why: Obtain energy information that will help
you reduce your electricity bill.
Browse through our many Energy Management
and Electrical Safety booths and discover how you
can become a Power Saver.
ee
Ontario Hydro p Local Utilitya/,.r
8,o
c' e. h
Les give tomorrow a hand