When I went to youtube & wrote in “pepper spray” I found a vid of the spray you describe being used in a riot. Large cannister and abundant wide spray which colored the rioter’s face orange.
He advances menacingly on police shouting “I’m right here!!” and then his entire face is whooshed with orange spray & lots of it. Instead of screaming or cursing, the orange faced rioter is strangely subdued; he stands there quietly until pulled to the pavement by his dreadlocks. Afterward he is cuffed & carried off like overstuffed luggage.
You had mentioned that bear spray has less capsicum; maybe that explains the rioter’s silent acquiescence.
Since law enforcement was using it, could be a different potency. Guess in my mind, if I’ve got 7 to 9 ounces vs 1-1.5, that makes up for it. And the cloud and distance is a plus. If it’s all I have, fine, but if I’m faced with a violent attacker within a couple feet, not sure spray is my preferred choice. And as you note, large canister. They don’t carry the little lipstick sized containers. And it’s easy to miss with the little ones, you have to hit the eyes. Usually with a stream.