A cop who used CS spray on a thug who grabbed her by the hair and punched her has been cleared by the police watchdog.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) launched a probe into the incident in County Square, Paisley, after the man became ill and struggled to breathe after he was sprayed.
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A report from the watchdog cleared the officer of any wrongdoing following an investigation.
During the incident, a British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called to reports that a man had indecently exposed himself at Paisley Gilmour Street Station.
When they arrived on the scene they challenged the 20-year-old man about his behaviour but he immediately became aggressive and lashed out at the officers.
The Pirc report states: “They tried to communicate with the man, who became aggressive and, following a struggle, assaulted both officers and ran away.
“He was pursued by the officers and during the chase, the man stopped, turned towards an officer who he had seized by the hair and punched during the initial struggle and adopted a threatening stance. Fearing for her safety, the officer discharged her Captor Incapacitant spray at the man.
“The man ran off but, following a violent struggle, he was apprehended by other officers.”
During the incident, the man became breathless and began vomiting as he suffered from asthma.
One of the officers involved in the struggle, which took place around 9pm on February 25 last year, gave the man her own personal asthma inhaler.
The report added: “Paramedics who subsequently attended the scene examined the man and found that he was not injured as a result of the incident.”
The following day the incident was referred to Pirc in line with protocols under the Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 when spray is deployed.
Specialist independent investigators from the watchdog launched a probe into whether it was a proportionate and justified use of force.
They took statements from all the parties involved and reviewed CCTV of the incident.
They also checked the officer who used the spray was trained in its use.
Pirc found that, “given the demeanour and actions of the man including the resistance shown to the police officers, the discharge of the Captor Incapacitant spray was proportionate, necessary and justified to ensure the police officer’s safety.
“To assist and prevent further deterioration of the man’s breathing, a BTP officer administered her personal Salbutamol inhaler to the man. This had the effect of alleviating his breathlessness.”
They made no recommendations as a result of the incident.
