"When on duty, officers carry both lethal and non-lethal options to stop a threat. Using their handgun is the last option. In contrast, tasers and pepper spray are typically used to de-escalate situations.
Most officers carry a concealed handgun when off duty, but tasers and pepper spray are not easy to carry in civilian clothing without a duty belt. Tasers are often larger than a handgun, and the large pepper spray canisters won’t fit most pants pockets.
The defender pepper spray solved this problem, and it naturally made its way to the officer’s spouses, family, and friends as a non-lethal self-defense option."