In February 1971, the Police Emergency Squad was called to Boggo Road to assist in quelling a massive riot in G Wing. G Wing was a two level brick construction block divided into four sections, two on each floor.

Upon arrival the noise of 132 prisoners rioting was unbelievable. Every pane of glass had been shattered and fittings from the divisions were thrown into the exercise yard. The Comptroller General of Prisons and the Prison Superintendent agreed that tear gas was the only way to control the situation.

It was decided that the most powerful tear gas agent would be used and the triple chaser grenade was chosen as it split in to three separate gas generators on detonation, making it difficult for it to thrown back outside.

What was the most effective way for it to be launched into each division of the wing.

An extension ladder was placed against the wall from outside the perimeter fence. I drew the short straw, climbing up the ladder and lobbing in the four grenades in quick succession in the upper and lower floors. There were 12 separate grenades the prisoners had to deal with.

As the prisoners fought their way to get fresh air from the windows several of them were injured. The rioting was over in a matter of minutes, this being the first time tear gas had been used in a Queensland Prison.

The Prison Department then formed their own Riot Squad and we trained them in the use of tear gas.