“Less than lethal” crowd controlling weapons

In addition to semi-automatic firearms, batons, handcuffs and capsicum-spray, Victoria police also have a number of crowd controlling weapons available.

These include:

• large scale tear-gas and capsicum-spray canisters
• shields
• horses
• the ‘VKS Pepperball’ – firearm that shoots blunt-force pellets or dye markers to brand people for arrestTo take into custody. More
• stinger grenades which release 32-callibre rubber pellets at waist height
• LRAD sound cannons
• and flash/noise distraction devices

In some countries where these weapons have been deployed people have suffered serious injuries and there has been a report of at least one death.

Also see Complaints against the police.