ELLSWORTH, Maine — Troy McLaughlin (in black shorts) and Aidan Bothwell (with face in the tub of water) were two of several students at Hancock County Technical Center in Ellsworth who were pepper-sprayed Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, as part of a law enforcement class they are taking at HCTC.
According to instructor Scott Baillargeon, the training helps prepare would-be police officers for what to expect if they are sprayed, either intentionally or by accident, while on duty.
The students who were sprayed Wednesday had to run a short sprint to get their heart pumping before being sprayed in the face by a certified pepper spray instructor, according to Baillargeon.
They then had to use a police radio as if calling for back-up and then repeatedly strike a padded mat as if they were being assaulted, before they were allowed to wash out their eyes with water and soap.
