Handcuffing Best Practices

CD Security & Safety Training

10 December 2016

Handcuffing is a perishable skill and one that is often completed poorly among security workers, law enforcement and members of the military. Many agencies teach various yet similar methods to handcuffing. In my experience I have seen many different methods of handcuffing, some good, some completely out to lunch.


Handcuffing is a very basic skill, restraining the ability to use the full range of motion and function of the arms and hands. Where many fall short, is the tactics, safety, and liability reduction that is associated with handcuffing. Over the last 7 years I have been using a handcuffing procedure which has been most effective in teaching these three key points to

handcuffing; Tactics, Safety, and Liability.

Years ago I came across a YouTube video made by Abdul Mohamed a U.S. Law Enforcement Officer in Washington State and owner of Black Tiger Tactical. His procedure for handcuffing relies on the use of the acronym C.R.E.S.T. this allowed me to simplify my own teaching methods. Recently after undergoing training through Canadian Tactical and Operational Medical Solutions inc. (CTOMS Inc.) I have added the sub-acronym (per say) to this procedure.

Control - IS KEY to successful handcuffing, you CANNOT handcuff a subject if you have not achieved compliance whether by voluntary compliance or use of force options. This may require the subject(s) to be restrained by multiple people such as the case with subject who exhibit signs of exited delirium.

Restrain - Handcuff the subject either by mechanical restraints or another approved restrain system as dictated by your agencies policies.

Evaluate - STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! The subject is restrained, maintain control but do not be too quick to get the subject standing or initiate a search. The one plus one rule of the seven tactical principles tells us where there is one subject or weapon, expect there to be another. This is where S.T.O.P. comes into play.

             

                 Situational Awareness - Assess your situation, it may have changed. There maybe other    threats or new threats in your immediate area. Order onlookers to stay back and give you space. if you have a partner they should already be doing this and looking for an exit route.

              

                Talk to your Subject - are they conscious? Do they have injuries? Are they ambulatory? If they require first aid, are you able to provide it? If O.C. Spray has been employed they will require decontamination. If you had to employ your firearm do you carry sufficient medical supplies on you, or in your vehicle to provide casualty care. Even though they are a suspect, or you just had a violent encounter they are still our responsibility.

              

                Orient Yourself - Check yourself over for injuries, if you are injured provide self aid/ buddy aid if required. Make sure your equipment is secure and wasn't lost or damaged during the encounter. decontaminate yourself if you have been exposed to O.C. Spray. Observe your environment, your incident may have started at the side of a car but now your in the middle of road, move yourself and the subject to relative safety.

               Pass up/ Pull Information - CALL SOMEONE if you have not done so already. it is highly recommended that security workers not become physically involved due to the risk and liability factors involved in use of force. However this may not always be an option depending on your circumstances. Police officers and most military members have a means of communication to radio or call for help. Make the call, you may receive instructions from higher on how to proceed further. You maybe in an unfamiliar area or have to move the subject to an area where they can be extracted or treated by medical personnel.  

Search - Thoroughly search the subject for any object they may use as a weapon or a means of escape. Handcuffs are a temporary restraint and they can be broken or defeated. Security Workers, as private citizens in Canada are not permitted to search for evidence unless they know exactly where the item is placed on the person, such as in thefts. Security workers ARE PERMITTED to search for weapons to ensure their and the subject's safety. I have always advocated for security workers to ensure the subject is thoroughly searched for weapons.  
              
Transport - Move the subject to a secure area, whether it is an office space out of view of the public, or a police car. You may have to make special arrangements for transport to a holding facility or make a plan to transport the subject yourself. This step may not always apply depending on the severity of the incident. Police may opt, at their discretion to release subjects on a Promise to Appear Notice.


Whether your are training new hires, in-service training or academy cadets this procedure is useful in maintaining consistency, ease of learning and ensuring the safety of the arresting person, and the person to be arrested and reducing liability.


References
- Abdul Mohamed, Black Tiger Tactical
- Police Officer Down (PODs) Survival Course - CTOMS Inc.