NCJ Number
53442
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR HANDCUFFING PRISONERS IS OUTLINED, AND POTENTIAL PROBLEM AREAS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
HANDCUFFS, LIKE OTHER POLICE EQUIPMENT, MUST BE USED PROPERLY TO BE EFFECTIVE. HANDCUFFS PROVIDE CONSIDERABLE CONTROL OVER PRISONERS, BUT OFFICERS MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT HANDCUFFS DO NOT FULLY IMMOBILIZE A PRISONER. HANDCUFFS SHOULD BE VIEWED AS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING DEVICES ONLY. THE FOLLOWING STEPS SUMMARIZE THE PROPER WAY TO APPLY HANDCUFFS: (1) THE OFFICER MUST REMAIN ALERT FOR ANY UNEXPECTED MOVES OF THE PRISONER, (2) THE OFFICER SHOULD APPROACH THE PRISONER FROM THE REAR, (3) THE OFFICER MUST MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE PRISONER AND KEEP HIM OFF BALANCE, (4) THE PRISONER IS HANDCUFFED WITH HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK AND PALMS FACING OUTWARD, (5) THE PRISONER IS THOROUGHLY SEARCHED, (6) THE HANDCUFFS ARE DOUBLE-LOCKED, AND (7) THE CUFFS ARE CHECKED BY PULLING OR PUSHING ON THE HANDCUFF JAW. IN THE INSTANCE WHERE THE OFFICER WISHES TO HANDCUFF TWO PRISONERS WITH ONE SET OF CUFFS, THE PRISONERS SHOULD FIRST BE PLACED IN THE WALL SEARCH POSITION. PRISONERS SHOULD BE HANDCUFFED RIGHT WRIST TO RIGHT WRIST WITH ONE PRISONER'S ARM BEHIND HIS BACK. THIS POSITION PLACES THE PRISONERS OFF BALANCE. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO CUFF THREE PRISONERS WITH TWO PAIRS OF HANDCUFFS, BUT THE PRACTICE IS NOT ENCOURAGED. NYLON RESTRAINING TIES ARE DISCUSSED AS ALTERNATIVES OR SUPPLEMENTS TO HANDCUFFS. FINALLY, OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CARRY A SPARE KEY IN THE EVENT THAT THE EQUIPMENT IS EVER USED AGAINST THEM. ILLUSTRATIONS AND A DISCUSSION GUIDE ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MLC)