The Northern Territory government has banned the use of spithoods on youths in police custody.
The move brings the NT into line with other jurisdictions across the nation, NT Minister for Police Kate Worden said on Friday.
The hoods will continue to be used on adults in watch houses when required and NT police will adopt a safer version of the device, she said.
NT Council of Social Services said it was a step in the right direction but the change needed to be legislated for children and adults.
"It is an inhumane and dangerous practice," chief executive Deborah Di Natale said.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory agreed the ban needed to be legislated and said it should be extended to cover all Territorians in custody and detention.
"There is no place for the use of spithoods in a modern justice and corrections system, full stop," chief executive John Paterson said.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the ban would lead to more police being spat on while on duty.
"It is a dark day for our police and another win for the lobby groups and criminals," she said.
She said officers would now need to wear a full face mask to protect themselves from "phlegm and saliva".
"Spithoods are highly regulated and rarely used but are an important piece of protective equipment for both the police and the offender," she said.
NT Police Association said it was concerned officers' safety would be compromised by the change.
President Paul McCue said the hoods were employed as an option of last resort and police had a right to a safe workplace.
"Spitting is a vile and disgusting act that can have potentially life-long impacts on our members' personal, professional and family life," he said.
"Many of our members have said they would rather be punched in the face than spat on."
Mr McCue said the union had not been consulted about what PPE would be offered to its members and how it would affect their workplace.
The NT government in September increased the penalties for spitting on frontline workers.
The offence is now considered an aggravated assault and carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
The 2017 Royal Commission into the Detention and Protection of Children in the Northern Territory was sparked by images of a teenager shackled to a restraint chair with a spithood over his head.
The final report of the $54 million inquiry revealed systemic and shocking failures, including regular, repeated and distressing mistreatment of young people.
It made 227 recommendations, including that spithoods should be prohibited in detention, but they continued to be used in police custody until Friday's announcement.
