Calls for Quebec to create spit mask guidelines for law enforcement
CTV
A former Montreal police officer and crisis intervention specialist is calling on the government to implement proper training and protocols when using spit masks.
A former Montreal police officer and crisis intervention specialist is calling on the government to implement proper training and protocols when using spit masks.
The mesh face covering used by law enforcement is to prevent a person from spitting on them and, according to Michael Arruda, can be used to de-escalate a situation.
"It's a good piece of equipment, but used in the wrong way, it can effectively have tragic results," he told CTV News.
Nicous D'Andre Spring died last December after correctional officers put a spit mask on him. A Bordeaux jail supervisor ordered the officers to pepper spray him while wearing the device.
In 2020, Quebec City Police used a similar mask on Bruno-Pierre Harvey when he suffered a mental health crisis.
He called for help and said he couldn't breathe—twice. Harvey went into cardiac arrest with the mask on and later died.
Several experts say the spit mask may have contributed to his death.
