Cuffing, searching and transporting in-custody subjects rank among the most common–and dangerous–things officers do. Unwavering dedication to remembering and diligently following proper procedures, protocols and tactics is an absolute must when it comes to officer survival. Here are some crucial reminders, shared by a Colorado Lieutenant, that can quite literally save your life.
The following advice, shared by a Lieutenant in Colorado several years ago, was reprinted with permission from Police Magazine and shared with Street Survival Seminar students. His insights are timeless. They’re also critically important to your survival so we’re sharing them again.
Here’s what he wrote:
You are already aware that every year officers are killed after taking suspects into custody. They’re killed on the street, in their vehicles and even within the walls of their stations or jails. They are killed by ambushers, friends of prisoners and, most often, by the prisoners themselves. They’re killed with handguns, knives and personal weapons, like hands and feet. Tragically, none of these officers had to die.
The first step you should take in shielding yourself from the dangers of handling prisoners is determining what can go sour. What can go wrong?
There is always the possibility that someone will interfere with you or your prisoner. A friend or accomplice of the subject may launch a surprise attack on you in an attempt to free your prisoner. Assaults are also common in domestic abuse incidents where the victim assaults you after you have “rescued” them from a tormentor. The attack could even come from someone trying to strike a last blow at an opponent who is now your prisoner…and you are in the way.
Most hazards to your health, however, are concentrated in the prisoner him/herself. A prisoner could break your control hold before he is secured and assault you. Cuffed improperly, he could use the restraints against you. You could lose your handgun or other weapon to an escaping prisoner. You could also lose your life if you fail to get the weapon back under your control immediately.
A prisoner may jump you with a weapon at any stage of the transport or handling process if you have conducted an inadequate search of his person or belongings. You also could be assaulted by one or more offenders inside the police station or holding facility if you lower your guard for even a moment. It doesn’t take long to become a statistic.
Here are keys to survival when it comes to handling people you have taken into custody:
Never underestimate the risk. You can’t afford to assume that anyone you take into custody is guaranteed harmless. The drunk you have picked up without incident on five previous occasions may go homicidal on you this time. The runaway juvenile may be determined enough not to return home that he’s willing to take your life. While you’re only aware that you have a barroom brawler in your back seat, he knows that he’s wanted under another name in another state for a capital crime. He’s willing to kill you to retain his freedom if you give him the opportunity.
Stay alert. You cannot afford to relax in the presence of prisoners. Be sensitive to any changes in your environment.
Keep others at a distance. Keep relatives, friends, and companions of your subject out of his reach once he is in your custody. If, in spite of your efforts, someone does come into close contact with him, be certain your prisoner is searched thoroughly right away, just in case. You do not need a transport or jailhouse surprise from your previously “clean” prisoner.
Guard weapons carefully. Keep all your tools beyond the reach of prisoners and other civilians around you. Be conscious of your sidearm’s location in relation to other people at all times. When you must be armed in the presence of prisoners, be sure your gun side is turned away from them. When you are working with prisoners in a “secure” facility, be sure that not only your own firearm, but those of other officers in the area are properly locked up.
Watch your positioning. Off-set the increasing danger factor when you move in to take someone into custody by approaching cautiously and keeping the subject off balance and at a disadvantage during the entire arrest process. Stay behind your subject during cuffing and searching. Whenever possible, work under the watchful eyes of an alert back-up officer.
Give clear verbal orders. Your suspect should have no doubt about what he’s supposed to do during the custody process. Be ready to take self-protection measures instantly if your instructions are disregarded or a threat to your safety develops. Remain aware of the nearest solid cover in case a gun appears during the approach. Once you make physical contact with the subject, be ready to jerk him to the ground if an attack develops. Stay alert for what might happen next. Depending on the perceived threat level, “next” may require you to find cover while drawing your handgun or stand ready with a defense spray or other weapon. If you perceive the danger from your arrestee to be sufficiently great that you must hold him at gunpoint, you should not begin cuffing and searching until back-up arrives and covers you.
Handcuff properly. Handcuff first, search second. Cuffing properly means cuffing the subject’s hands behind his back, palms facing out, cuffs snug but not too tight and double-locked. Check the cuffs periodically during a long transport. Remember that handcuffs are temporary restraining devices. They can be defeated by a particularly savvy or limber offender.
Consider the following universal handcuffing guidelines:
- Carry two sets of quality-made handcuffs.
- Carry a “hideout” cuff key in addition to your regular key.
- Never cuff yourself to your prisoner.
- Keep a tight grip on your handcuffs during cuffing. A dangling cuff arm can be swung as a dangerous weapon.
- Never slap the cuffs against a subject’s wrists. Press the cuff arm firmly against one wrist at a time, allowing the arm to swing freely around the wrist and engage the metal teeth on the other side. Once the cuffs have been double locked, check to be sure they have latched properly. Don’t get lured into a trap, but do check if your arrestee claims the restraints are hurting him. Watch for any discoloration in his hands or wrists that may indicate trouble. Also watch for a sneak attack while you are in close.
Search the right way. Every subject who comes into your custody should be searched as many times as necessary until you are convinced he is not in possession of anything harmful. There is no set number of times you should search an arrestee, but he must be searched at least at the point of initial custody, again before transport and once again before his restraints are removed at the processing point. Anything even potentially dangerous—lighters, pens, belts, keys, etc.—should be collected and secured beyond the prisoner’s control.
Additional search advice:
- Don’t accept anyone else’s word that a prisoner being turned over to you is “clean.” Search again.
- Monitor your subject’s attitude before you search. If he is threatening, you’ll want to have adequate back-up on hand before you begin, just in case.
- Ask your prisoner before you search him if he has any blades, needles or anything else on him that might injure you during a search. He just might tell you.
- When you search, wear puncture- and fluid-resistant gloves whenever possible. Pat and squeeze clothing rather than ram your fingers blindly into pockets. Take your time and search systematically and thoroughly, starting with the arrestee’s head and working down to his footwear.
- Whenever possible, have back-up cover you during any prisoner search.
- Keep your arrestee turned away from you during the search. First check one side of his body, then the other to the midline. Don’t reach so far you lose your balance.
Transport safely. Prisoners belong behind a shield or screen, securely belted in with car doors and windows locked. Check the screen barrier to make sure that a prisoner who manages to slip cuffs off cannot reach through or around to get your weapon. Check him visually throughout the transport.
Don’t relax too soon. A jail deputy was beaten to death with an oxygen cylinder in a jail infirmary. Two state troopers died after they were shot while removing a drunk driving suspect’s restraints to give him a stationhouse breath test. Indeed, your prisoner’s adrenalin might be pumping harder than ever as he enters surroundings that he sees as threatening. Stay sharp and do not become a stationhouse casualty.
Continue to learn and practice safe prisoner handling. Critique yourself honestly after each experience and strive to do even better next time. And do not forget the prime directive of prisoner handling: Never become complacent around any prisoner. The potential for danger is real.
More advice to share? E-mail us at: editor@calibrepress.com
