A man has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after being pepper-sprayed by police.
The 52-year-old has not been charged with any offence but NSW Police used oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray while arresting him to prevent a "breach of the peace" as they responded to an alleged domestic violence incident in Sydney's inner west on Monday.
The man suffered a medical episode soon after the arrest and was treated by paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital.
Authorities have established a crime scene and a critical incident team will investigate.
The investigation will be independently reviewed by the police force's Professional Standards Command and overseen by the law enforcement watchdog.
NSW Police guidelines on OC sprays state they may be used to protect human life or animals, or as a "less than lethal option for controlling people, where violent resistance or confrontation occurs (or is likely to occur".
Police use of capsicum spray has come under scrutiny in recent months after it was allegedly deployed on a 13-year-old boy at a Palestine rally in 2024 and a group of protesters during a rally at the Indo Pacific Naval Defence Expo in November.
The Melbourne Supreme Court in December found police use of the spray on a climate protester constituted battery and was unlawful, ordering the state of Victoria to pay $54,000 in damages to the activist.
