Policy Text
EMERGENCY RESTRAINT CHAIR
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/01/13 STANDARD NO. 085 REVISED: 07/16/18
REPLACES: N/A Rev. 08/20/14; Rev. 05/17/18
OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines on the use of the restraint chair.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department to consciously practice
professional techniques in the restraint and transportation of prisoners. As part of
this policy, all prisoners and the transport vehicle shall be properly searched prior
to transportation. The safety of other police officers, the public, and the person(s)
in custody is directly dependent upon the good judgment and thoroughness exhib-
ited by the arresting and/or transporting officer(s). To further reinforce security
measures, an approved manufactured Emergency Restraint Chair (ERC) may be
used to provide safe containment of prisoners exhibiting violent or uncontrollable
behavior and to prevent self-injury, injury to others or property damage when
other control techniques are not effective.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. DEFINITIONS:
A. Clevis: A metal U-shape part with holes in each end through which a pin or bolt can be
used as a fastening device.
B. Control: The ability to gain compliance of a subject. Control may be obtained through
the employee’s mere presence, advice, warning, persuasion and/or physical control
techniques.
C. Emergency Restraint Chair: A safety chair with restraint and transport capabilities. It
is used as a safety measure to manage combative, uncontrollable and/or potentially
dangerous prisoners when other reasonable and less restrictive methods are
unsuccessful.
D. Less Than Lethal Weapon: Weapons approved by the Department that, when used
consistently with training procedures, most probably will not cause death or great bodily
harm.
E. Response to Resistance: A defensive or offensive action or technique used by
employees to respond to a subject’s aggression or resistance.
F. Restraints: The direct application of any physical force (manual, mechanical devices,
chemical agents) used to restrict freedom of movement (i.e. handcuffs, leg irons,
security belts, restraint chairs, etc.).
G. Spit Hood: A netted hood that may be placed over the head of a prisoner attempting to
spit or bite employees or other prisoners. The hood provides the prisoner normal
Emergency Restraint Chair – SOP# 085
visibility while draping a barrier in front of his/her mouth to protect others from the
prisoner’s attempt(s) to spit or bite. A spit hood should never be applied to any person
who is unconscious, vomiting, in respiratory distress, or in obvious need of medical
attention. Once a spit hood is applied to a prisoner, they must by under constant
observation.
H. Tether: A rope, chain, hobble strap, leg irons or similar restrain used as a safety
measure allowing a short radius in which one can move.