Spit guards (FOI)

​Request

This request relates to the use of spit guards (also referred to as ‘spit hoods’ or ‘spit and bite guards’; please assume all questions relate to each term) within the Jersey Police, and infectious disease sustained by officers in the course of their duties and is:

A

For the provision of the number of officers who have contracted infectious disease as a result of biological fluid contamination or needle stick injury or bites from humans in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

B

For the provision of the final medical diagnoses of such infections in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

C

For the provision of the number of officers who have contracted infectious disease as a result of having been spat at by a detainee in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

D

For the provision of the number of officers who have contracted infectious disease as a result of needle stick injury in the course of their duty in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

E

For the provision of the number of officers who have contracted infectious disease as a result of bites from humans in the course of their duty in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

F

For the provision of the number of officers who have required prophylactic treatment for infection as a result of having been spat at by a detainee in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

G

For the provision of the number of officers who have required prophylactic treatment for infectious disease as a result of needle stick injury in the course of their duty in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

H

For the provision of the number of officers who have required prophylactic treatment for infectious disease as a result of bites from humans in the course of their duty in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)

I

Does your police service use spit guards?

J

If yes to Question I, when were they approved for use and by whom?

K

If yes to Question I, did your police service undertake any form of assessment of the spit guards prior to operational use. If yes, please provide copies of the assessment.

L

If yes to Question I, what is the brand and manufacturer of spit guard that is used?

M

On how many occasions in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date) have spit guards been used on detainees?

N

Have there been any adverse occurrences to detainees when spit guards have been deployed in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to date)?

O

Please provide copies of any training materials used to train officers in the use of spit guards.

Response

A to H

The States of Jersey Police do not hold this information. Officers will see their own GP after any injury from an assault on duty. Details of treatment offered is not held by the States of Jersey Police.

The below table shows the number of assaults recorded where a police officer was spat on by an individual. Not all incidents of spitting will be recorded by officers.

The number of needle stick (sharp object) injuries recorded are below.

I to O

The States of Jersey Police do not and have never used ‘spit guards’.