Policy Text
PRISONER TRANSPORTATION
DISTRIBUTION
1. All prisoners who are
hobbled, restrained or
handcuffed will be observed
closely for signs of discomfort
or distress.
2. At no time will a prisoner
being restrained be allowed to
lay on their chest as this
restricts breathing.
2. An officer may use discretion if the
prisoner is a juvenile or elderly. The
fact a prisoner is a juvenile or elderly
does not preclude the use of handcuffs
or flex cuffs.
B. Restraints will not be removed from a prisoner
until the prisoner is secured in a facility,
released from custody, or no longer poses a
threat of violence. If there is a lengthy delay and
the prisoner's human needs must be attended
to, handcuffs or flex cuffs may be removed,
provided the officer believes the needs are valid
and the person can be controlled.
C. Prisoners will not be handcuffed or flex cuffed to
any part of the transport vehicle.
D. Restraining devices may not be used on
disabled prisoners when:
1. The disability renders the prisoner
sufficiently immobile, and/or
2. The application of restraints would cause
the prisoner undue pain and discomfort.
E. Transporting officers may use leg chains and
waist chains to restrain the movement of
prisoners who are an escape risk or exhibit
violent or destructive behavior.
1. Waist chains and leg chains will be stored
in the Prisoner Processing/Temporary
Holding Facility.
2. Waist chains and leg chains will be applied
so the tip of the officer's finger can be
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inserted between the handcuff and the
prisoner’s skin.
a. All restraints will be double locked as
soon as the officer can safely do so.
b. Handcuffs will be used to secure the
ends of the waist chains behind the
prisoner’s back.
c. It is the officer's responsibility to check
the wrists of the prisoner upon
complaint of pain and to take the
appropriate action.
3. Upon completion of the transport or as soon
as practical, the leg and waist chains will be
returned to the Prisoner Processing/
Temporary Holding Facility.
IV.SPITTING, BITING OR AGGRESSIVE SUBJECTS:
A If a prisoner is attempting to bite or spit on the
officer, a department issued spit mask is to be
used.
1. The masks will be applied so the top strap
is over the subject’s ears while the bottom
strap is below the ears and on the subject’s
neck.
2. Once in place, the mask can be adjusted for
the prisoner’s face, if needed.
B. At no time will prisoners be left unattended while
the mask is in place.
1. If the prisoner begins to choke, gag, or
vomit the officer will ensure the prisoner’s
airway is not compromised. The officer
should be prepared to remove the mask
immediately.
C. The mask is not to be used on unconscious
prisoners or those suffering with breathing
problems.
D. The fact a prisoner is a juvenile or elderly does
not preclude the use of the mask.
PRISONER TRANSPORTATION
DISTRIBUTION
E. The arresting officer will document in the
narrative portion of his or her report the actions
of the prisoner requiring the use of the mask.
F. Masks will be discarded after each use.
V.TRANSPORT OPERATIONS:
A. One officer will not transport more than two
prisoners at any one time unless authorized by a
supervisor.
B. Prisoners will be searched for contraband and
weapons prior to transport, whether immediately
following arrest or when transferring to or from
other officers or agencies.
1. It should never be assumed that someone
else has searched the prisoner. Any officer
who transports a prisoner who was not
searched in that officer's presence will
personally search the prisoner prior to
transportation.
2. If possible, all prisoners will be searched by
someone of the same gender prior to being
placed in the transport vehicle.
C. The officer should have the prisoner in sight at
all times. Seating the prisoner in the vehicle as
far to the right as possible will allow ease of
observation by the transporting officer.
1. Arrestees will be secured in a transport
vehicle with seat belts unless he or she is
violent, poses a threat to officer safety or
other exigent circumstances exist.