Griffith: I did not recommend using insecticide on attackers

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is denying recommending or suggesting that people use insecticide or insect repellent as a weapon to protect themselves, as reported in one daily newspaper on Wednesday.

In a release, the police service said Griffith, during Tuesday’s media conference to address the issue of missing people and domestic violence, was asked by a Newsday reporter if a woman would be charged if she were to use an illegal item such as a Taser, pepper spray, or penknife.

It said Griffith answered the reporter, but not before pointing out that many people use more than he (the reporter) suggested.

“The Commissioner shared that they have become creative and sometimes use aerosols, including insect repellent, and that such a course of action was fuelled by women feeling threatened and desperate.

“At no time did the Commissioner of Police recommend or suggest that persons should use insecticide or insect repellent as a weapon to protect themselves. Such a suggestion would be tantamount to the Commissioner of Police inviting persons to do serious damage to others as many repellents can blind persons and occasion serious bodily harm.”

The release said the police service does not intend to attack the free press, but was forced to ensure that the context of what was said, and how it was said, was clear.