Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 408 – Handcuffs and Other Restraints
Page 1 of 6 TITLE: HANDCUFFS AND OTHER RESTRAINTS 408
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 01/26/2026 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: PATROL DIVISION CAPTAIN
CFA STANDARDS: 21.04M, 21.08M (B)
408.01 General Provision 408.06 Other Physical Restraint Devices
408.02 Handcuffs 408.07 Removal of Restraint Devices
408.03 Handcuffing Guidelines 408.08 Reporting Procedures
408.04 Sick or Injured Persons 408.09 Training
408.05 Optional Transports 408.10 Equipment Replacement
Policy: The Kissimmee Police Department has established guidelines for securing and
safeguarding persons who are under the control of Department officers. Approved restraint devices
may be employed to physically restrain those persons who clearly demonstrate viole nt or self -
destructive behavior and fail to respond to reason. It is the policy of the Department that all
personnel exercise due care when applying restraint devices.
408.01 General Provision: [CFA 24.01M] The Kissimmee Police Department issues authorized
restraint devices to restrict a person’s movements and facilitate searching. These devices include
handcuffs, flex cuffs , and optional nylon restraining devices. Any device personally pu rchased by
officers shall be the same make and model as the Department issue and must be inspected for
conformity prior to it being carried and utilized.
408.02 Handcuffs: [CFA 24.01M] All handcuffs utilized by officers must lock, double lock, and
unlock with a standard handcuff key. The handcuff key shall always be kept on the officer’s person
while on duty. All uniformed officers shall carry handcuffs when on -duty.
Non-uniformed officers shall have access to handcuffs at all times. The only exceptions a re those
officers working in an undercover capacity.
Handcuffs shall be checked frequently, cleaned and lubricated to prevent malfunction.
408.03 Handcuffing Guidelines: [CFA 21.04M] All handcuffs shall be applied in a manner
consistent with accepted police training. While the primary concern is officer safety, emphasis
shall be placed on minimizing the physical discomfort of the person being restrained. If a person
complains of discomfort from the handcuffs, the officer shall check the handcu ffs for proper
application. Officers should request the assistance of another officer when checking or adjusting
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 408 – Handcuffs and Other Restraints
Page 2 of 6 handcuffs to reduce the likelihood of escape. When handcuffs are utilized, officers shall maintain
control over the handcuffed person.
When a person is arrested or under the control of a Department employee, the officer shall utilize
handcuffs behind the back as deemed necessary to provide protection for the officer, the public
and the person in custody.
In instances involving juveniles, no ju venile shall be handcuffed if they are to be driven to their
residence and released to a parent. Juveniles under arrest and transported to JDC, Park Place, ORH
Mental Health center, KPD or any other receiving facility shall be handcuffed. If not under arr est,
juveniles shall be subject to a “pat down” for weapons and not physically searched.
Pursuant to F lorida State Statute 1003.573, School Resource Officers, School Safety Officers,
School Guardians, or School Security Guards working in public schools sh all not use mechanical
restraints on a disabled student in grade five (5) or below. A disabled student is defined as a student
on an individual education plan. Any officer working an off -duty detail as a School Resource
Officer is considered a School Resou rce Officer for the purposes of this paragraph.
Age, disability or physical limitations may justify modified handcuffing/restraint measures with
supervisory approval. The use of modified restraint measures shall be documented in the Police
Incident Repor t or CAD narrative if a police report is not completed. If modified restraint measures
are used, the person shall be secured in the back of a patrol vehicle with a protective barrier or
with the presence of a second officer.
Other handcuff restrictions ar e, but not limited to:
a. Female subjects shall not be handcuffed to a male subject except in an emergency situation;
b. Officers shall not handcuff themselves to persons nor use a single cuff as a “come a -long”
technique ;
c. Officers shall not handcuff persons to any part of a vehicle; and
d. Officers may handcuff persons to fixed objects when the object is designed for such us e or
in emergency situations.
During custodial detentions, persons shall be handcuffed with their hands behind their back and
palms outward prior to being searched.
When handcuffing, the single bar of the handcuff shall be placed against the person’s w rist bone
using “contact pressure” to press forward until the cuff engages, yet not tight enough to cause
physical discomfort or harm. Handcuffs shall be snug with the person’s wrist, not tightened to the
point of restricting blood flow. Afterward, the ha ndcuffs shall be double