Policy Text
Policy
302Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/03/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park 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.
302.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 70.1.6, 70.2.1
302.2 POLICY
The Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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.
Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Handcuffing and Restraints
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/03/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints - 2No 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
determination 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 he/she is suspected of a
dangerous felony or when the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the juvenile may resist,
attempt escape, injure him/herself, 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.
The handcuffing of all persons is a requirement of the Department for all arrest situations and of
any person the officer reasonably believes warrants that degree of restraint.
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