Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says he is in full support of women being allowed to have pepper spray as a security weapon when faced with danger.

He made clear his position during a press briefing hosted on Tuesday morning.

“All you need is one spray and that one spray can have that individual in such an uncomfortable position that it gives the female the opportunity to escape. Pepper spray is non-lethal,” Griffith noted.

His position is in stark contrast to the one held by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who over the weekend expressed concern that such an allowance could be counterproductive, as perpetrators would also have access.

Commissioner Griffith says he believes the use of pepper spray should be regulated, but noted that worldwide statistics show it is effective in helping victims escape from crimes such as kidnapping, rape and robbery.

“I do understand the Prime Minister’s concern and others of it getting in the wrong hands and being used in the wrong manner, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that I’ve done immense research around the world. Pepper spray has been proven to save many from being killed, raped or kidnapped. It is an avenue of escape,” he said. 

Griffith also advised women to apply for licensed firearms to protect themselves against criminal elements.

This as the Commissioner notes that a staggering 95% of the applications for Firearm User’s Licenses are men.