UV dye pepper spray helps police track and identify suspects during crowd control. Regular pepper spray stops people temporarily, but the UV dye makes it easier to find suspects later.
When police use this spray, the invisible dye sticks to skin and clothes. Officers can then use UV lights to spot who was involved, making investigations faster and more accurate.
This simple upgrade to basic pepper spray has made a big difference in how police handle large groups and catch suspects. Police can now connect people to specific incidents even hours after they happen, which helps them gather better evidence.
Training Requirements and Certification
Training and certification for UV dye pepper spray follows strict rules in law enforcement agencies. To get certified in OC spray use, you must finish special pepper spray training during your Basic Law Enforcement Training or through your department’s program.
You’ll learn the right spray distance and how weather affects pepper spray use – these basics are key parts of your training. This first certification teaches you how to use and handle pepper spray correctly.
Department rules say you can’t carry or use pepper spray until you complete all required training. Your department’s Logistics Officer keeps track of who’s been issued pepper spray through a detailed log. This ensures only trained officers get this equipment.
After you use pepper spray, you must fill out a Use of Force report to explain what happened.
To keep your certification valid, you must take part in training every two years. These sessions help you stay familiar with pepper spray use and review all the rules. This regular training makes sure you know how to use this force option safely and follow all department guidelines.
Safe Deployment Techniques
Proper use of UV dye pepper spray requires you to control both your aim and distance. Keep at least 6 feet away from your target to stay safe and avoid getting spray on yourself.
The spray works best when it hits the eyes and face. Aim straight at the person’s face and spray in quick, short bursts until you stop the threat.
Follow these key steps when using UV dye pepper spray:
- Aim right at the face to make the spray work best and keep it from spreading everywhere
- Stay back at least 6 feet so you don’t get spray blown back on you
- Use quick, short bursts instead of spraying non-stop – this gives you better control
- Let the person wash their face with cool water once the situation is safe
After you handcuff someone you’ve sprayed, don’t make them lie face-down because it can make breathing hard.
When you use the right aim, keep your distance, and take care of the person afterward, you’ll stay safe and the spray will work better.
Post-Incident Documentation
After using UV dye pepper spray, you need to complete three key documents: a Use of Force Supplement, an incident report, and medical records.
Your Use of Force Supplement should include when and where the incident happened, and why you used the spray. Write down if you kept the right distance (6 to 8 feet) from the suspect when you sprayed.
Describe how the suspect reacted and what effects you saw. Make sure to attach this form to your main incident report.
You also need to get medical reports for yourself and the suspect. If anyone got medical help at the scene or at a hospital, gather all those records and add them to your paperwork.
Your supervisor will check your documents to make sure you followed all the rules. They’ll look for any gaps in how you handled things or if you need more training.
Keep your records detailed and accurate since trainers will review them during your pepper spray training every two years. These reviews help everyone use pepper spray better and follow department rules correctly.
UV Identification Procedures
UV dyes in pepper spray will glow under black light and reveal suspects, even after they try to wash it off. Law enforcement can use this method up to 48 hours after an incident to track and confirm who was involved.
The compact pepper spray lets victims protect themselves while marking attackers with UV dye that helps identify them later.
To check for UV dye on a suspect:
- Turn off all lights in the room and scan the suspect’s exposed skin with a black light, focusing on hands, face, and neck
- Check their clothes carefully since UV dye often sticks to fabric
- Take photos of any glowing areas under the black light
- Write down when and where you find UV dye to create a clear timeline
UV dye works so well because suspects can’t easily remove it, making it great evidence in criminal cases. When you find UV dye on someone, it proves they were at the scene and involved in the incident.
This quick and simple way to check for UV dye helps solve cases faster by providing solid evidence that suspects can’t easily deny or explain.
Equipment Maintenance and Storage
Keep your pepper spray working well by taking good care of it. The potent formula with 1.4% Major Capsaicinoids needs special attention to maintain its 2,000,000 SHU strength.
Meet with your supervisor regularly to check your OC spray and make sure it works properly.
Store your spray correctly to keep it effective. Put OC spray canisters in a cool, dry place and keep them away from heat, fire, and sunlight.
The storage area should stay between 32°F (0°C) and 120°F (50°C). These storage rules help your spray stay strong and prevent damage to the container.
Check the expiration date on your spray often. Most sprays last four years from when they were made, and you’ll find this date on the canister.
If your spray expires or doesn’t work right, give it to your Logistics Officer right away to get a new one. Never try to use or throw away old spray yourself – you must follow local, state, and federal rules for safe and legal disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Can Law Enforcement Use Pepper Spray?
Law enforcement officers use pepper spray when they cannot calm a situation down and people become violent. Officers may also spray to control crowds, but they need approval first – unless they must quickly stop violent behavior that’s happening right now.
What Kind of OC Spray Do Police Use?
Police officers use OC spray with a 10% formula that contains UV dye markers and comes in a stream pattern. They can spray targets from up to 12 feet away, but they must complete special training before using these devices.
What Is UV Dye in Pepper Spray?
UV dye in pepper spray stays invisible until exposed to ultraviolet light, when it glows brightly. Law enforcement uses this dye to track and identify attackers within 48 hours after an incident. The dye sticks to skin and clothing, making it a useful tool for catching suspects.
What Is the Legal Status of Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray’s legal status and public opinion change from place to place. All 50 states allow pepper spray, but each state and city sets its own rules about how big the spray can be, what the label must say, and who can carry it.