Arming Tellers With Pepper Spray for Security?

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Question:

We were thinking about purchasing Pepper Gel for our tellers, but we would wondering before we do; Is this becoming or is it an industry standard with bank security. If it is not, what are your thoughts on arming our employees with pepper spray should they encounter a violent customer intent on doing harm and can not be calmed down?

Answer:

Randy Carey: Never heard of it. Huge liability issues. Out of sorts teller pepper spraying an innocent customer, teller panics and tries to pepper spray an armed robber, the list is endless.

Answer:

Ken Golliher: If rlcarey works for me and our employee manual says he can punch the lights out of a customer who is very aggressive and, in his personal judgment, on the verge of violence, then I am responsible for his actions. I just hope a jury of 12 would agree with his response.

Spraying someone with pepper spray is no less an assault and battery than punching them in the jaw. Supplying it to your employees connotes they have advance approval to use it, no differently than your putting it into an employee manual would.

This is a profoundly bad idea.

Answer:

Jim Bedsole: Why stop at pepper gel or pepper spray? Why not arm them with Tasers? Or with guns? Both would be more effective at disabling someone bent on violence than pepper spray would be. The reason you wouldn't arm your tellers with Tasers or guns is the same reason you wouldn't arm them with pepper spray. Profound, enormous liability for their inappropriate or ineffective use and danger to the person actually attempting to use them.