CLEVELAND (AP) -- A group of Ohio high school students has voluntarily gotten pepper-sprayed in the face.
More than a dozen Barberton High School students agreed to be sprayed last week with their parents' permission as part of a class exercise for aspiring police officers. Students also have been shocked with a stun gun for the criminal science class.
One copy of a video of the students being sprayed has been viewed online more than 15 million times.
"Students were required to have parental permission and consent in order to participate in the voluntary exercise," said Patricia Cleary, Barberton City School superintendent.
Still, the controversial video is has created a firestorm of debate online.
In the video, one girl screams "It feels like a volcano in my eyes!" Others students cover their eyes and doubled over in pain. Many online viewers find the two-and-a-half minute video difficult to watch, and some have called for the teacher to be fired.
Cleary said the class exercise was conducted by an instructor who is a former police chief who clearly spelled out the activity in the permission slip. The instructor explained that he would "introduce the use and effects of law enforcement OC Pepper Spray to the students" and that it would "cause irritation and a burning sensation to the eyes and nasal area for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour."
While some online commenters have been critical of the parents for allowing their children to be pepper-sprayed, students and parents call it a useful learning experience.
Barberton is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Cleveland.
Complete, uncut video
- National Weather Service warns of major winter storm approaching Prescott, Prescott Valley area
- UPDATE: Latest prediction is 14 to 23 inches of snow in quad-city area
- Drivers advised to limit travel later this week
- Why are flags at half-staff today, Feb. 9, 2019
- Prescott, Prescott Valley school districts avoid snow day due to holiday; procedures in place for upcoming storms
- Prescott street crews mobilize for expected one-two punch of snow events
- Prescott Police arrest 59-year-old woman for allegedly operating prostitution house
- 4 to 6 inches of snow forecast for greater Prescott area
- Monday's school delays, closures
- Obituary: Sandra Kay Sorenson
- Why are flags at half-staff today, Feb. 9, 2019
- Teenager killed while crossing Spouse Drive in Prescott Valley
- ‘Prescott Valley Fire’ burns about 300 acres north of Highway 89A
- Wind-driven wildfire quickly moving northeast of Prescott
- Prescott home total loss in difficult firefight
- Young Prescott man arrested for sexual assault of teen
- Multiple pedestrians struck by cars in downtown Prescott on Thursday
- Local fire departments frustrated with Life Line response times
- Firefighters battling home fire in Prescott
- Missing 18-year-old found after night in woods
More like this story
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to:
Community Calendar | |
---|---|
WED
20
|
Prescott Stamp Club meeting,
|
WED
20
|
WaterSmart: Drop by Drop
|
WED
20
|
Open Office Hours with City Manager
|
THU
21
|
Prescott Caregiver Support Group
|
THU
21
|
You Too! Mentor
|
View More Events...
|
|
This Week's Circulars
To view money-saving ads...