Whether you are a police officer, bail bondsman, or security guard, handcuffing people may be a daily occurrence. However, no one would want to handcuff a person and find out that the person can get out of the handcuffs.
Two common types of handcuffs, hinged and chainedThe following steps will ensure that anytime you use your handcuffs, the person you are handcuffing, and you, are secure.
Edit Steps
- 1Do not lean the person against a surface. This is a common mistake. It gives your suspect something to use as leverage to throw themselves against you. Have them stand straight up.
- 2Gather your handcuffs, either from retrieving them from your handcuff case or being given them.
- 3Pull the persons hands behind their back, or in front of their stomach, depending on the person's behavior and medical condition.
- 4Push the "bow" (the part of the handcuff in which pivots to secure and unsecure a hand) against the left wrist of the person, which will pivot the bow and allow securing through the various tracks in the bow.
- 5Push the bow on the right side of the handcuffs against the right wrist of the person which, too, will pivot the bow and allow securing through the various tracks in the bow.
- 6Use the double locking mechanism, if your handcuffs have one, to "double lock" the handcuffs from being tampered with.
- 7Handcuff with backs of hands facing each other.
Edit Tips
- Always use the double lock if your handcuffs have one, to avoid the handcuffs lock getting picked and also to ensure safety of the person in handcuffs, as well as yourself.
- Use best judgment on deciding whether to handcuff the person in the front or the back. Anyone who is pregnant, suffers from a serious medical condition, or is a juvenile might need to be handcuffed in the front of their body, instead of the back.
- The ideal position for the handcuffs is to place the subject's hands behind his back, palms facing outward. The keyholes on both shackles should be facing upward and, if so equipped, the button for the double lock will be facing rearward. It is nearly impossible for the subject to unlock the handcuffs in this position.
Edit Warnings
- Although the handcuffs must securely fasten on the person, do not cut off the circulation of the persons hand and wrist. This may cause injury to the handcuffed person.
- Double locking will prevent accidental tightening of handcuffs on the wrist by the officer or the subject.
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Article Info
Last edited:
August 6, 2011 by Cece123
Categories:
Careers in Government
