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MPs learn to deal with effects of "pepper spray" the hard way

By Ms. Bianca Sowders (Franconian News)May 14, 2018

Fighting off an assailant while blinded by pepper spray
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Second Class Rose Hollywood fights off an "assailant" while dealing with the effects of pepper spray during a recent OC training as part of Installation Law Enforcement Certification at USAG Ansbach May 4, 2018. Her trainer, Staff Sgt. Scott Mar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pepper spray!
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Second Class Michael Edwards is sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum - pepper spray - by Staff Sgt. Scott Martin, Interservice Non-lethal Individual Weapons Instructor, during a recent OC training as part of Installation Law Enforcement Certificatio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Get down!
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wrestling the red giant
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wash it off, wash it off!
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANSBACH, Germany (May 9, 2018) - Like any other unit, USAG Ansbach emergency services personnel rotate in and out on a regular basis. All new arrivals assigned to Ansbach's law enforcement have to go through Installation Law Enforcement Certification (ILEC); this includes Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP) of USAG Ansbach Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 527th Military Police and 131st Military Working Dog Detachment (MWD).

ILEC is a two-week course that expands upon the training that personnel receive at the DACP Academy and Military Police School. These classes include local rule of law, report writing, first aid, non-lethal weapons training and radar certification. After ILEC is completed, personnel are certified by a Field Training Officer with at least 40 hours of "ride-along" and then annually with 40 hours of in-service training to remain current.

During their classroom instructions and in practical exercises the students learn to identify the stages of conflict in order to recognize a threat, reduce the threat, and determine how and when to use force. They are also taught tactical concepts such as spraying techniques, disengagement, proper defensive positions, methods of movement, multiple opponent defense, contact and cover system, defense against moving attacks, ground defense, and drawing techniques.

At a recent training event Military Police and DACP had to learn to deal with the effects of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), also commonly known as "pepper spray." The participants are sprayed to understand the effects of OC spray, and then are required to complete a course while under the influence of OC to better prepare them for accidental cross-contamination and build their confidence.

OC is a convenient aerosol spray that is used as a protection device. When used before hands-on defense, there is less risk of injuries to all parties. OC affects the skin, face, eyes, and respiratory system and is usually immediately debilitating. According to Sgt. First Class Jeremy M. Lucas, provost sergeant at USAG Ansbach Emergency services, this court-defensible deterrent is reliable and has no long-term harmful effects on the recipient, and is widely accepted as a safe control option for human service personnel.

To view more photos of the training, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagansbachphotos/albums/72157695972050964

[Story and photos by: Bianca Sowders, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs Office. Significant contributor: Sgt. First Class Jeremy M. Lucas]

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