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RUC-PSNI - CS Gas Trigger Happy

30/09/07

The CS gas handheld weapon was added to the arsenal of Europe’s most paramilitary police force, the RUC-PSNI, three years ago and a report released on September 18th has revealed that they have used it in abundance ever since.

This is indicative of the overtly violent and oppressive ethos that permeates through the ranks of the armed wing of the British state in Ireland.

It will not surprise Irish republicans to hear this, given the long history of oppressive techniques deployed by the RUC-PSNI in nationalist and republican communities.  The report, however, provides empirical statistics to support anecdotal evidence that the ‘new and peaceful mode’ of the force is nothing more than a farce and that it continues to do what it does best – which is exercise violence.

It seems that the rule of thumb within the RUC-PSNI is ‘if given a weapon, why not use it?’ 

The CS spray has been used a total of 996 times since its introduction three years ago at a cost of £600,000.  This is yet another reason to add to the long list of reasons for the disbandment of this illegitimate, 9,000 strong, fully armed militia.  Despite all of the cosmetic changes the RUC-PSNI remain unworthy of support from any section of the community in the Six Counties.

Paul O’Connor of the Derry based human rights flagship, The Pat Finucane Centre, has said that the public have been ‘duped’ into believing that there would be sufficient oversight of the use of this new weapon and that all incidents would be fully investigated.

He said: “We are quite concerned about a number of specific complaints pending and these are not limited to one section of the community.”

“Guidelines for the use of the spray are about as clear as mud.

“There is nothing to say a person cannot be sprayed while they are restrained for instance.”

O’Connor concluded, “These figures show an alarmingly high level of CS gas use which is very worrying”

To add insult to injury, an RUC-PSNI spokesperson said that the “CS Incapacitant Spray is not an alternative to the baton round nor intended for use in incidents of major public disorder”.

This admission places the use of CS gas in its proper context – as another weapon in the arsenal of the British police force in Ireland, to be used in conjunction with other less lethal weapons such as plastic bullets.