Victoria Police to face class action over capsicum spray incident

Victoria Police are set to face a class action over allegations its officers improperly used capsicum spray to disperse protestors at a 2019 climate protest.

It will be the first class action to examine the police use of capsicum spray in a protest environment.

Gregor Husper, a solicitor involved in the case, explained what the class action entails.

“The action alleges that use of capsicum spray on protestors is unlawful when used as a tool or when there is no immediate threat to police officers and the public,” he told Tom Elliott.

Capsicum spray was first introduced in 1995 with Mr Husper believing the police are using the spray too often compared to older times.

“We always thought that it would be used in other circumstances and now we have a situation where it’s used regularly by the police as a tool of coercion or compliance,” he said.

Press PLAY to hear details on the class action and the potential outcomes 

Picture: Getty iStock