September 2, 2011 • COURIER
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Maced: Photos & Story by Chris Johnson Photo Editor For the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy’s seventh week recruits, getting pepper sprayed is just part of the curriculum. Some may think this is quite a drastic training exercise but according to SLEA Director William Lawler these future officers must know how to act and react in any situation. Recruits are first trained in the application of the spray and how to compensate for variables such as wind and positioning. After they've been pepper sprayed they must complete a series of exercises simulating different combative subject scenarios. After they have diffused the situation it's straight to the eye wash
SLEA cadets get pepper sprayed as a part of their combative training into law enforcement
for some much needed relief. The effects of the spray can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Even though there are no long lasting effects, the spray packs quite the punch when used. The affected areas are best relieved with plenty of water and air to alleviate the symptoms associated with being maced. Most recruits felt that the effects of being sprayed were worse than they had expected. Recruit Jeff Gossage gets sprayed once a quarter in the army, but said it never gets any better. This semester 23 agencies will be training under SLEA at the new Homeland Security Education Center. Recruits come from as far away as Northern Illinois University to make use of the cutting edge training facility.
Above: Recruit Jeff Gossage of Glenwood flushes his eyes after being pepper sprayed at Friday’s training excersises. Left: Recruit Stehlin fights through the pain as he attempts to diffuse a ccombative subject. Bottom: Recruit Garret Lambeta of Arlington Heights is put through the drill as he is trained how to handle a situation under the stresses of being partially incapacitated by the effects of pepper spray.