Apply Handcuffs to a Compliant Subject

(191-376-5205) (2003 STP)

 

Conditions: You are performing law enforcement or security duties and wearing the appropriate gear according to the local or unit standing operating procedure (SOP).  You determine that a compliant subject must be handcuffed for security and safety.

 

Standards: Place the subject in handcuffs by performing all steps, in order, and without hesitation.

 

Performance Steps

 

1. Tell the subject to turn and face away from you, spread his feet apart until you tell him to stop, and point his toes out.  The subject's feet should be more than shoulder width apart.

 

2. Tell the subject to lock his elbows and move both arms back along his side until both arms are fully extended behind him, keeping his elbows locked.

 

3. Tell the subject to turn both hands until his palms are turned outward, with his thumbs pointing up, and bend forward at the waist until told to stop.  The subject should be bent at the waist at least a 45-degree angle.

 

4. Tell the subject not to move.  Check your position, and adjust as necessary.

 

5. Shuffle up to the subject, staying out of arms reach, and tap one of the subject's hands.  At the same time, move back and be ready to respond to resistance by the subject.  This is an "attitude" check to determine if the subject is planning to resist handcuffing.

 

6. Take out your handcuffs using your strong hand, and position them in a proper carry position.  Do not divert your eyes from the subject.

 

7. Do not make any handcuff noise, such as ratcheting the single strand.

 

8. Approach the subject carefully, from the outside, at a 45-degree angle.

 

9. Use your support hand to grasp the back side of the subject's hand (using a reverse-handshake grip) at the knuckles where fingers meet.  Place your support hand (thumb) over or under the subject's thumb, depending on the size of your hand.

 

10. Pull the subject's hand back away from his body.  Position the center of the single strand of the bottom handcuff on the subject's handcuffing notch at the base of his thumb, and push the handcuff on using one smooth motion.  As the single strand rotates and catches the latch, snug up the cuff using either the index finger of your support hand or the little finger of your strong hand.

 

11. Ensure that the cuff is snug, then instantly release your reverse-handshake grip and move your support hand to grip the subject's second hand in a handshake grip at the knuckles where the fingers meet the hand.  Place your support hand (thumb) over or under the subject's thumb, depending on the size of your hand.

 

12. Grip the subject's second hand, then instantly position the top cuff over the subject's handcuffing notch at the base of the thumb and push the cuff on with one smooth motion.  Snug up the cuff using either the index finger of your strong hand or the index finger of your support hand.

 

CAUTION: DO NOT RELEASE YOUR HANDSHAKE GRIP.  ENSURE THAT YOU MAINTAIN POSITIVE PHYSICAL CONTROL OF THE SUBJECT.

 

13. Release your grip on the handcuffs while maintaining a firm handshake grip on the subject's hand with your support hand.  Check the cuffs for correct fit around the subject's wrists.  Adjust the handcuffs as necessary, without releasing the grip you have with your support hand.  Engage the double-lock mechanism in both handcuffs without releasing your handshake grip on the subject.

 

 

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Handcuffs (Compliant)