If a subject claims an OC allergy, how should the officer respond?

• A. Cease deployment if safe, arrange medical evaluation, and consider alternative force options; document the claim and response.
• B. Ignore claim and continue deployment.
• C. Immediately escalate to lethal force.
• D. Disregard safety and proceed.

Answer: (A)

When someone claims an OC allergy, the first priority is safety and medical assessment. If it’s safe to do so, cease OC deployment to prevent further exposure and potential severe irritation or respiratory reaction. Arrange prompt medical evaluation to determine whether an allergy truly exists and to decide on appropriate treatment or precautions. Consider alternative force options that don’t rely on OC, so you can maintain control while reducing risk to the subject. Document the claim and every step you took in responding, so there’s an clear record for medical and supervisory review.

Continuing deployment in the face of an allergy claim, ignoring the claim, or escalating to lethal force in response to an allergy are inappropriate because they ignore safety and medical risk.