Apply Handcuffs to a Noncompliant Subject

(191-376-5206) (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 placed a noncompliant subject in a rear wristlock or executed the arm bar takedown and have determined that you can safely apply handcuffs to the subject.

 

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

 

Performance Steps

 

1. Place the subject in a rear-wristlock position and apply handcuffs.

 

             a. Escort the subject to the nearest fixed object or structure.

 

             b. Give loud commands, as appropriate.

 

             c. Position the subject flat against a supporting fixed object or structure so that the controlled shoulder joint cannot move forward.

 

             d. Use your support side and apply body weight against the subject to further enhance the stability of the position.

 

             e. Tell the subject to extend his uncontrolled arm straight out at a 90-degree angle, palm facing out.

 

             f. Reverse the angle of the wristlock by going palm to palm with the subject's hand and your strong hand.  Release your support hand and regrip the subject's hand with your support hand.  Bend the wrist back so that the fingertips are pointing toward the subject's back.  Create enough space between your support wrist and the subject's wrist to allow for handcuffing.

 

             g. Take out your handcuffs with your strong hand, without rotating your trunk/hip or changing the position of the wristlock.  Assume the proper carry position for handcuffs.

 

             h. Position the single strand of the bottom handcuff above the thumb side of the subject's wrist.  Push the handcuff on and snug it up.

 

             i. Move control of the wristlock to the handcuffs by moving your support hand down to your strong hand, and exchanging hand positions.  Your support hand should now be holding the handcuff

in a proper carry position, with the single strand down.

 

             j. Tell the subject to bring his other hand to the small of his back, then grasp the second hand with your strong hand in a handshake grip at the knuckles where the fingers meet the hand.  Your strong hand may be placed over or under the subject's thumb, depending on the size of your hand.

 

             k. Position the second cuff over the thumb side of the second wrist.  Push it on with a smooth motion and snug it up.

 

             l. Maintain your support-hand grip on the handcuffs, and release your strong-hand grip.  Use your strong hand to retrieve your handcuff key, double lock the handcuffs, and return the key.   Use your strong hand and reapply the wristlock.  Release your support-hand grip and slide your support hand to the subject's controlled elbow and grip it.  This places the subject in the handcuff-escort position.

 

2. Perform an arm bar takedown (see Task 191-376-5203), and apply handcuffs.

 

             a. Move your feet and your body to above the subject's controlled shoulder, without moving the subject's arm or your hands.  Do not straddle the subject's head.

 

             b. Move your support foot forward until your toe touches the top of the subject's shoulder.  Place the shin area of your support leg across the subject's controlled shoulder blade; do not use your

knee.

 

             c. Place your strong knee on the ground next to and outside of the subject's controlled arm.  Squeeze the subject's controlled arm between your legs.

 

             d. Place your support hand on top of the wristlock, and release your strong hand.

 

             e. Retrieve your handcuffs with your strong hand and place them in a proper carry position.

 

             f. Rotate your strong hand, palm up.  Place your strong hand between yourself and the subject's controlled wrist while keeping your strong hand palm up.

 

             g. Align the bottom handcuff (the one closest to your little finger) with the subject's wrist.  Straighten the subject's wrist with your support hand.  Push the bottom handcuff straight onto the wrist with your strong hand and snug it up.

 

             h. Place the subject back in the wristlock using your support hand.

 

             i. Tell the subject to bring the other hand to the small of his back.  As the hand reaches the small of his back, transfer control of the controlled arm to the handcuffs and your strong hand, release your support-hand grip, and reach down and grip the subject's thumb and index finger.

 

             j. Lift the subject's unhandcuffed hand straight up a few inches.  Move your strong hand down toward the unhandcuffed hand and cuff up on the little-finger side of the subject's wrist.

 

             k. Maintain your body position and release the handcuffs.  Retrieve your handcuff key, double lock the handcuffs, and return the key.

 

 

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Handcuffs (Noncompliant)