Home / Crime and Justice / Spit Hoods: Deadly Tool or Necessary Restraint?
Spit Hoods: Deadly Tool or Necessary Restraint?
27 Feb
Summary
- 17 fatal incidents involving spit masks documented in Canada.
- Training and policies on spit hood use are inconsistent.
- Deaths often linked to misuse, posing risks of asphyxia.
An investigation into the use of spit hoods in Canada has uncovered 17 deaths linked to these restraints over the last two decades. Nicous D'André Spring's death on Christmas Eve 2022, after being pepper-sprayed and placed in a spit hood, is one such case. Investigations reveal inconsistent and often non-existent training and policies governing their use across various institutions.
Experts warn that improper use of spit hoods can lead to serious injury or death. The devices, intended to protect first responders, have been misused in nearly all of the 17 identified fatal incidents, sometimes contributing to positional asphyxia or exacerbating situations involving pepper spray. There is a lack of independent verification of their safety and effectiveness.
Data on spit hood usage is inconsistently collected, with some institutions not tracking it at all. This lack of comprehensive data and regulation creates a patchwork of safety standards. In contrast, some countries like the United States and Australia have begun banning or restricting their use due to legal settlements and public scrutiny.
