According to training, is the use of OC spray considered escalating or deescalating?

The use of OC spray, often referred to as pepper spray, is classified as escalating because it is a use of force intended to control a situation that has gone beyond verbal warnings or lesser degrees of intervention. In the context of conflict resolution or law enforcement, escalating refers to actions that increase the level of physical force or aggression involved. When OC spray is deployed, it signifies that the situation has escalated to a point where physical restraint or intervention is necessary due to the refusal of a subject to comply with commands, present a threat, or otherwise endanger the safety of individuals involved.

Additionally, the use of OC spray is seen as an attempt to curb a potentially violent encounter, but it inherently increases the level of force being used, making it an escalation rather than a deescalation tactic. Deescalating would involve measures taken to calm or defuse a situation without resorting to force, such as verbal communication or negotiation. Hence, the classification of OC spray as escalating aligns with its application in emergency situations where a higher response is needed.