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USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS

NCJ Number
48600
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM PROVIDES INSTRUCTION FOR POLICE ON THE USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS, INCLUDING TEAR GAS, SMOKE, AND IRRITANT GAS TO CONTROL RIOT AND HOSTAGE SITUATIONS.
Abstract
THE FILM DEPICTS A MAN WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF IN A BUILDING AND IS SHOOTING AT HIS WIFE AND OTHER PEOPLE OUTSIDE. THE PROPER WAY FOR THE POLICE TO GET THE MAN OUT IS DISCUSSED. THE FILM DEMONSTRATES PROPER METHODS OF SHOOTING TEAR GAS INTO THE HOUSE. GAS PELLETS ARE SHOT THROUGH EACH WINDOW, AND WHEN THE POLICE DETERMINED THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE MAN, A GAS CANISTER WAS SHOT THROUGH THE WINDOW NEAREST HIM. THE MAN CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE IMMEDIATELY AND FIRST AID WAS ADMINISTERED TO HIM. THE NEXT SCENE SHOWS SEVERAL POLICE TACTICS IN RIOT AND CROWD CONTROL. GAS SHOULD NOT BE SHOT DIRECTLY INTO THE CROWD -- THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT METHODS WHICH CAN BE USED, DEPENDING MAINLY UPON THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND. THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF GAS ARE UNIVERSALLY COLOR-CODED. YELLOW IS FOR SMOKE, RED FOR TEAR GAS, AND BLUE FOR IRRITANT GAS. THE GAS COMES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONTAINERS, INCLUDING GRENADES, PROJECTILES, FOGGERS, AND AEROSOLS. POLICE MUST BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN USING THE GAS, SINCE THE WIND CAN BLOW IT THE WRONG WAY QUITE EASILY. THE WIND SHOULD BE USED TO CARRY THE GAS TO THE RIOTERS; FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN DOWNWIND OF THE CROWD, THE GAS MUST BE SHOT TO BE BLOWN OVER THE PEOPLE. THE POLICE MUST BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL NOT TO GAS THEMSELVES, AND SHOULD HAVE A SET PROCEDURE FOR MASKING THEMSELVES UP AND FIRING INTO THE CROWD. A PROPER PROCEDURE IN THE USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS WILL INSURE EFFECTIVENESS. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE IS INCLUDED. (BAC)