Berkeley could loosen rules on pepper spray, tear gas and other police gear

"Some city leaders want to ease restrictions and reporting requirements for the Berkeley Police Department's use of pepper spray, tear gas and other tools. But following several killings of Americans by immigration authorities in Minnesota, some Berkeleyans are concerned that police might abuse their power if offered more latitude despite recent efforts by BPD and other city officials to distance themselves from federal law enforcement agencies."

"Dozens of people crammed into a conference room or called in via Zoom to protest three proposals that went before the City Council's three-member Public Safety Policy Committee on Thursday. The changes would reduce officers' paperwork when they use pepper spray, make it easier for BPD to request air and canine support, and allow police to use tear gas again while also permitting smoke and pepper spray in more situations."

"Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani, the main author of all three proposals, said she wants to give BPD modern tools and eliminate duplicative reporting requirements and unnecessary administrative obstacles. Nearly three decades ago, in 1997, the City Council ordered that police notify the council each time an officer used pepper spray. That was a quarter century before a state law took effect mandating all police agencies report annually on how and when they use their weapons and equipment, pepper spray included."

City leaders proposed easing reporting and restrictions on Berkeley Police Department use of pepper spray, tear gas, and other tools. Proposed changes would rescind the 1997 city requirement to notify council after each pepper spray use, reduce officer paperwork, simplify requests for air and canine support, and restore tear gas use while allowing smoke and pepper spray in more circumstances. Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani said the measures would modernize tools and remove duplicative administrative obstacles. BPD used pepper spray four times in 2025 and once the year before, according to BPD data. Dozens protested the proposals at a Public Safety Policy Committee meeting, citing concerns about potential abuse and federal law enforcement connections.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org