Name/Title
Sussex Police "Captor 2" pepper spay canister 2017Entry/Object ID
2585Description
Empty grey coloured metal pressurised 50ml can approximately 12cm heigh, with black plastic top and red coloured plastic flip up top below which is a large red button. Marked "Captor 2 Advanced Incapacitant" together with various warnings. Marked to the bottom "Man 121217 Ex121221 12133 Sussex".Use
For police use as an incapacitant spray on violent personsContext
Even after the adoption of longer batons in the mid 1990s concerns continued regarding police officer safety. There were also worries regarding the potential injuries that could be caused to those struck with them. Indeed officers were trained to use them far more overtly than in the past, leading to them being drawn more frequently and potentially being used more than old wooden truncheons. Consequently police forces were looking at more passive ways of dealing with violent and unco-operative persons, including the use of incapacitant sprays, which began to be authorised for use in the UK. Some police forces adopted CS spray, but there were some concerns within Sussex Police regarding its use and effectiveness. It was feared it was too in-discriminative and could also lead to the contamination of clothing and vehicles, and potential reactivation. There were also worries regarding its effectiveness against those under the influence of drugs and possible issues with the type of solvent it contained.
As a result in 2001 Sussex Police adopted a synthetic pepper spray, PAVA, marketed under the name "Captor", which incapacitates by causing a stinging sensation in the eyes. All officers were trained in its use and the canisters are carried in special holders on the belt with lanyards, should the cans be dropped. This incapacitant has proved very successful and is still used within Sussex. It has led to far fewer injuries of officers and offenders and less use of batons. Other police forces have largely abandoned the use of CS spray since the adoption of Taser stun guns, through fears of combustion, and adopted pepper sprays. PAVA is governed by Firearms legislation and there are strict rules regarding its use and handling. It is kept in logged gun cabinets and only re-issued upon surrender of a can, either after a single use or at its expiry date.
The formula and the can used has been subject to continuous improvement and this particular can, which is empty, is for "Captor 2".