Handcuffing_and_Restraints

Policy 302CSU Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints - 1Handcuffing and Restraints 302.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidelines for the use of handcuffs and other restraints during detentions and arrests. 302.2 POLICY The CSU Police Department authorizes the use of restraint devices in accordance with this policy, the Use of Force Policy, the Transporting Persons in Custody Policy, and department training. Restraint devices shall not be used to punish, to display authority, or as a show of force. 302.3 USE OF RESTRAINTS Only members who have successfully completed CSU Police Department-approved training on the use of restraint devices described in this policy are authorized to use these devices. When deciding whether to use any restraint, officers should carefully balance officer safety concerns with factors that include but are not limited to: •The circumstances or crime leading to the arrest. •The demeanor and behavior of the arrested person. •The age and health of the person. •Whether the person is known to be pregnant. •Whether the person has a hearing or speaking disability. In such cases, consideration should be given, safety permitting, to handcuffing to the front in order to allow the person to sign or write notes. •Whether the person has any other apparent disability. 302.3.1 RESTRAINT OF DETAINEES Situations may arise where it may be reasonable to restrain a person who may, after brief investigation, be released without arrest. Unless arrested, the use of restraints on detainees should continue only for as long as is reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of officers and others. When deciding whether to remove restraints from a detainee, officers should continuously weigh the safety interests at hand against the continuing intrusion upon the detainee. 302.3.2 RESTRAINT OF PREGNANT PERSONS Persons who are known to be pregnant should be restrained in the least restrictive manner that is effective for officer safety. Leg restraints, waist chains, or handcuffs behind the body should not be used unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person may resist, attempt escape, injure themself or others, or damage property. No person who is in labor, delivery, or recovery after delivery shall be handcuffed or restrained except in extraordinary circumstances, and only when a supervisor makes an individualized CSU Police Department Policy Manual Handcuffing and Restraints Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints - 2determination that such restraints are necessary for the safety of the detainee, officers, or others (Penal Code § 3407; Penal Code § 6030). See the Transporting Persons in Custody Policy for guidelines relating to transporting pregnant persons. 302.3.3 RESTRAINT OF JUVENILES A juvenile under 14 years of age should not be restrained unless they are suspected of a dangerous felony or when the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the juvenile may resist, attempt escape, injure themself, injure the officer, or damage property. 302.4 APPLICATION OF HANDCUFFS OR PLASTIC CUFFS Handcuffs, including temporary nylon or plastic cuffs, may be used only to restrain a person’s hands to ensure officer safety. Although recommended for most arrest situations, handcuffing is discretionary and not an absolute requirement of the Department. Officers should consider handcuffing any person they reasonably believe warrants that degree of restraint. However, officers should not conclude that in order to avoid risk every person should be handcuffed, regardless of the circumstances. In most situations, handcuffs should be applied with the hands behind the person’s back. When feasible, handcuffs should be double-locked to prevent tightening, which may cause undue discomfort or injury to the hands or wrists. In situations where one pair of handcuffs does not appear sufficient to restrain the person or may cause unreasonable discomfort due to the person’s size, officers should consider alternatives, such as using an additional set of handcuffs or multiple plastic cuffs. Handcuffs should be removed as soon as it is reasonable or after the person has been searched and is safely confined within a detention facility. 302.5 APPLICATION OF SPIT HOODS Spit hoods are temporary protective devices designed to prevent the wearer from biting and/or transferring or transmitting fluids (saliva and mucous) to others. Spit hoods may be placed upon persons in custody when the officer reasonably believes the person will bite or spit, either on a person or in an inappropriate place. They are generally used during application of a physical restraint, while the person is restrained, or during or after transport. Officers utilizing spit hoods should ensure that the spit hood is fastened properly to allow for adequate ventilation and so that the restrained person can breathe normally. Officers should provide assistance during the movement of a restrained person due to the potential for impairing or distorting that person's vision. Officers should avoid comingling those wearing spit hoods with other detainees. Spit hoods should not be used in situations where the restrained person is bleeding profusely from the area around the mouth or nose, or if there are indications that the person has a medical condition, such as difficulty breathing or vomiting. In such cases, prompt medical care should be CSU Police Department Policy Manual Hand