A Hillsborough County school security deputy is on leave after using pepper spray near elementary school students, authorities say.
A spokesman for the sheriff’s office says an internal investigation is underway after the incident at Lopez Elementary School in Seffner on Tuesday.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy used her office-issued O.C. spray near four students. O.C. stands for Oleoresin Capsicum, the active ingredient in pepper spray.
One student was taken to the school nurse after the incident and was given water and ice to treat discomfort.
“I am extremely disappointed in the news coming out of Lopez Elementary today. O.C. spray is a serious tool that we use in (the) field and it has no business being deployed around the children we are supposed to keep safe,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We have zero tolerance for the misuse of our equipment in this manner. This deputy did not adhere to her training or our standards and she will be held accountable for her actions.”
The deputy, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave pending the internal investigation.
The sheriff’s office has not released any additional information about what led up to the incident or why the spray was used.
