The use of CS Spray by police on a 17-year-old Derry youth earlier this year was "lawful, necessary and proportionate,” the Police Ombudsman has said.
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All uses of the spray against those aged 18 or under are referred by the Chief Constable to the Police Ombudsman for independent investigation.
The spraye was used by officers during the arrest of 17-year-old boy who had been detained by a member of the public after breaking a shop window.
The officers involved said the youth became violent and screamed wildly when they tried to restrain him.
They added they were conscious that a crowd of youths had gathered nearby, and were concerned that if the situation continued, the crowd would attack.
The officer who used CS Spray said its use allowed officers to restrain the youth and apply handcuffs. Another officer said he too had drawn his CS Spray but had decided not to use it once he realised it had been used by his colleague.
The member of the public who reported the incident to police confirmed the youth had been acting aggressively and resisting police prior to the use of CS Spray.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said officer who used the spray was properly trained in its use, and concluded that his actions had been “lawful, necessary and proportionate.”
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