Spit Restraint Device™ User-Level Qualification Program
Applying spit masks on individuals by law enforcement officers (LEO) is a use of force requiring compliance with Constitutional standards of care, and with any applicable more restrictive state statutory or regulatory standards. Findings from the 2021 IPICD seminal spit mask survey (n=523), in collaboration with the Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE), found approximately 68% (n=357) of the respondents did not know or believe that applying a spit mask is a use of force. Further, approximately 42 % (n=219) of respondents reported having not received spit mask training.
Following a March 2020 high profile, temporal, arrest-related death of an agitated and combative person where a spit mask was applied by an LEO, “spit hoods” arose again as a hotly debated controversial focal point. The individual’s causes of death included Excited Delirium and “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.” A natural sequel to the IPICD “Recognizing and Managing Abnormal Breathing” tuition-free User-Level program, this approximately 60-minute, tuition-free Spit Restraint program will discuss the following topics:
- Spit Mask brands, definitions, and intended purposes;
- Spit Mask legal decisions and manufacturer warnings;
- Spit Mask scientific study findings;
- Spit Mask application, use, removal, and retention guidelines;
- Spit Mask health, safety, and evidentiary concerns;
- Spit Mask documentation;
- Plus, more.
IPICD staff believe it has a social responsibility to provide this peer-reviewed, timely, objective, legally-, scientifically-, and evidence-based program—without cost–to help save lives, to help save careers, and to help save money by minimizing or avoiding costly litigation.
Length: Approximately 60 minutes.
Cost: Tuition-free! Includes Learner Companion™, reprinted articles, and certificate.
Required materials: Computer with sound, computer monitor, internet access, keyboard, mouse (touch screen), comfortable chair or seat, printer, and writing instrument for taking notes.
