Policy Text
Procedure
302Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints Procedures - 1Handcuffing and Restraints Procedures
302.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure will establish guidelines for the use of "hobble restraints," and the method of
transporting violent combative prisoners who have been handcuffed and a hobble restraint
applied.
302.2 APPLICATION OF LEG RESTRAINT DEVICES
The hobble strap may be used under three different levels of restraint:
(a)Level 1: Minimum Restraint. In this method, the hobble cord will be placed around
the waist and attached to the handcuffs, preventing the arrestee from "slipping" the
handcuffs to the front of his body.
(b)Level 2: Moderate Restraint. In this method, the hobble restraint will be placed around
the thighs to reduce the opportunity for the arrestee to flee on foot and limiting his/
her ability to kick.
(c)Level 3: Maximum Restraint. In this method, the hobble strap is placed around the
ankles of the arrestee and is designed for maximum restraint of a prisoner that is
combative and requires restraint of both hands and feet.
Either a single strap or double strap technique is authorized at this level. Arrestees transported in
the maximum restraint position should be transported in a seated upright position. If this cannot
reasonably be accomplished, the arrestee should be transported by ambulance and accompanied
by an officer. While the hobble restraint is applied in the maximum level, the arrestee should be
monitored by an officer until the restraint is removed.
The hobble restraint device shall never be secured, hooked, wrapped, or wound onto the handcuffs
of the subject during an application of level 2 (Moderate Restraint) and level 3 (Maximum Restraint)
because doing so can cause positional asphyxiation, which may lead to serious injury or death.
If any medical problems are observed by the officer at any time, paramedics will be requested or
the appropriate medical attention provided.
Anytime the maximum restraint level is used by an officer, the circumstances requiring the use
shall be documented in a police report. In addition, a supervisor shall be notified as soon as
possible, or at least by the end of the shift.