The Met Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, decided recently to continue to allow police officers to use spit guards in custody suites but not on the streets.
The London Assembly agreed a motion today to urge the Commissioner to consider training and consultation on the use of spit guards for use whenever a police officer feels they are necessary.
Len Duvall AM, who proposed the amended motion said:
“Nobody should ever have to put up with being spat at or bitten at work. Police officers in the Met, like all other public servants, have the right to be protected whilst carrying out their duties.
“We know spit guards are a useful means of ensuring officers’ safety, so I want to see a pilot and consultation that goes beyond what we’ve had before and examines their full use. Met officers using spit guards must be supported with training and guidance that allows for their appropriate use.”
Susan Hall AM, who proposed the original motion, said:
“Police officers run towards danger and put their own safety at risk to protect us. We owe it to them to ensure all officers are sufficiently protected from dangerous risks such as spitting and biting.
“The Mayor needs to leave Cressida Dick in no doubt that she would have his full support were she to follow the example set by many police forces and allow the full use of spit guards”.
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly calls on the Mayor to make clear to Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick CBE QPM, that she would have his full support, in piloting and consulting communities on the full use of spit guards - supported by training and guidelines as to their proportionate use - to ensure the safety of police officers, as in line with the majority of other forces in England and Wales.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- Watch Susan Hall AM explain why she proposed the motion
- The motion was agreed by 20 votes for, to 3 against.
- Susan Hall AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Howard Wheeler on 020 7983 5748. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.