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Date: 06/20/91 Revision: 09/21 /22 Reviewed: 10/31/23 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 553.00 Page: 1 of 7 SUBJECT: HANDCUFFS AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINTS I. PURPOSE : The p urpose of this standard operating p rocedure is to define guidelines for the use of handcuffs and other physical restraints. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff's deputies. III. DISCUSSION : Deputies should handcuff persons arrested or p laced in custody except when, in the judgment of the de puty, handcuffing is unnecessary. Deputies shall determine the practicality or necessity of using handcuffs in situations such as transporting juveniles, females, senile or mentally ill persons, and a rresting seriously deformed, injured , or ill persons. It is the deputy's responsibility to protect himself /herself, the public, and persons in custody. IV. DEFINITIONS : A. Belly Chains - A physical restraint worn by prisoners, consisting of a chain around the waist, to which the prisoner's hands may be chained or cuffed. B. Bola Wrap - A hand -held remote restraint devi ce that discharges a 7.5 -foot bola-style Kevlar tether to entangle an individual at a range of 10 -20 feet. C. Box Chains - A high security restraint box that holds the hands of a prisoner close to the body in conjunction with handcuffs and a belly chain. D. Handcuffs - A restraint device designed to secure a person’s wrists close together. E. Hobble Restraint Device - A devic e typically made of webbed rope with a locking device a nd an other ring used to provide an additional restraint on a violent or uncooperative individual by limiting their hand and feet movement. F. Leg Brace - A leg restraint that can be worn under cloth ing to impede running and kicking. These are ideal for trials and airline travel where discrete restraint is needed. G. Leg Restraints - A physical restraint used on the feet or ankles. H. Plastic Flex Cuffs - A plastic strip that can be fastened as a restraint around a person’s wrists or ankles. I. Straitjacket - A strong garment with long sleeves which can be tied together to confine the arms of a violent prisoner or someone experiencing a mental health crisis . V. PROCEDURE : A. Carrying of H andcuffs 1. Double -locking handcuffs shall be carried by all authorized personnel. GEN 553.00 09/21/22 Page 2 of 7 a. The only handcuffs and leg restraints authorized for carry by Sheriff’s Office personnel are those issued by the Warehouse Supply Section or those privately purchased of the same brand /model /style as those issued by the Ware house Supply Section. b. Thumbcuffs of any brand /model /style are prohibited from duty carry. 2. Plainclothe s personnel shall carry handcuffs at the discretion of their District /Division Commander. 3. Deputies shall be responsible for the efficient operation of their handcuffs. Handcuffs shall b e checked frequently, cleaned, and lubricated to prevent malfunction. 4. A handcuff key shall always be kept on the deputy's person. B. Utilization 1. A fem ale prisoner shall not be handcuffed to a male prisoner, except in an emergency. 2. A juvenile shall not be handcuffed to an adult, except in an emergency. 3. Deputies shall neither handcuff themselves to prisoners nor use a single cuff as a "come -along." 4. Deputies shall not handcuff prisoners to a fixed object, except in an emergency. 5. When handcu ffs are used, deputies shall maintain physical control over the handcuffed prisoner by securely holding onto the prisoner while he/she is being transported on foot. 6. A prisoner shall not be physically secured to t he interior of a vehicle or aircraft while in transit except when, in the judgment of the transporting deputy, the prisoner represents a danger to himself or others. 7. The policies of certain commer cial airlines prohibit prisoners from being handcuffed during flight. However, transporting deputies shall re -handcuff prisoners upon arrival at airsides and prior to deplaning if this practice is not in conflict with airline policy. Otherwise, the prisoner shall be handcuffed immediately upon deplaning. C. Using Handcuffs f or Maximum Safety 1. Prisoners shall be handcuffed with hands behind their back and prior to searching. The single strand of the handcuff should be placed against the prisoner's wrists , below the wrist bone, and pressed forward until snug fitting, yet not tight enough to cause physical discomfort or harm. 2. The handcuffs shall be double -locked and checked by pulling or pushing on the handcuff jaw. 3. After handcuffing, the prisoner sha ll be thoroughly searched in a systematic manner. 4. After handcuffing, prisoners shall be searched by deputies of the same gender, except in exigent circumstances, including: a. Situations in which sufficient probable cause exists to search the prisoner for weapons. b. Situations in which a deputy of the same gender is not readily