Officials in Bladen County have changed their personnel policy so that only law enforcement officers can carry mace and pepper spray.BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officials in Bladen County have changed their personnel policy so that only law enforcement officers can carry mace and pepper spray.
This move stems from a recent incident in which an EMS supervisor used pepper spray on a patient to protect herself while responding to a call.
Lynda Sanders, who has been with the county's EMS department for five years, said she and another worker were called out to pick up a psychiatric patient who was described at the time as "lethargic, not violent."
At some point while Sanders was transporting the patient she called 911 to say he had come at her aggressively and that she sprayed him with mace.
Sanders was suspended while officials conducted an investigation into the incident.
According to County Manager Greg Martin, the case is closed and Sanders is back at work. As a result of the investigation, only law enforcement officers are authorized to carry mace and pepper spray.
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