301519

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: September 13, 2023  Amends - GO 8.1.3 ( January 8, 2020 ) Number: 8.1.3 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: February Reviewing Authority: HRD / Training Subject: Handcuffs and Other Restraints This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the securing and safeguarding of persons arrested by or under the control of Sheriff's Office personnel. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency that all prisoners being transported shall be securely restrained, except where special situations exist. All restraints will be applied in a manner consistent with accepted police prac tices and emphasis will be placed on minimizing the physical discomfort of the person being restrained while maintaining deputy safety. At the discretion of the arresting and/or transporting deputy, more than one type of restraint may be used for the safe ty of the deputy and the safety of the person being transported. No unauthorized restraining devices will be utilized by members of the agency . 3. Definitions Total Appendage Restraint Position (TARP) – When subject is handcuffed, hobbled and seated in a n upright position. 4. Procedures A. Carrying of Handcuffs 1. All use handcuffs utilized by Sheriff's Office personnel must be completely made of metal, black or silver in color, double lock, and will lock and unlock with a standard key. Any exceptions must be approved by the Training Section Commander. 2. Plain clothed personnel shall have access to handcuffs at all times. The only exception are those employees working in an undercover operation. 3. Deputies shall be responsible for the efficient operation of their handcuffs. Handcuffs will be checked frequently, cleaned and lubricated to prevent malfunction. 4. The handcuff key will always be kept on the deputy's person, while on duty. 8.1.3, Page 2 of 5 B. Utilizati on 1. A female 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 not handcuff themselves to prisoners or use a single cuff as a "come -along", however this procedure may be used to facilitate a “take down” technique. 4. Deputies shall not handcuff prisoners to a fixed object except in an emergency. While at a correctional facility, deputies may handcuff a prisoner to a fixed object utilizing a device specifically designed to do so. 5. When handcuffs are used, deputies s hall maintain control over the handcuffed prisoner. A handcuffed subject must not be left unattended in a vehicle; a deputy shall remain in close proximity to the vehicle at all times. 6. The policies of certain commercial airlines prohibit prisoners bei ng handcuffed during flight. However, transporting deputies shall re -handcuff prisoners upon arrival at air side and prior to disembarking if this practice is not in conflict with airline policy. Otherwise, the prisoner shall be handcuffed immediately up on disembarking. 7. If a prisoner complains of discomfort from the handcuffs, the deputy should check the handcuffs for proper application. C. Using Handcuffs 1. When handcuffs are used, prisoners shall be handcuffed with hands behind their back, palms outward, and prior to searching. It is advantageous to have the keyholes facing outward but is not required. When cuffing, the single strand of the handcuff should be placed against the prisoner's wrist, below the wrist bone, and pressed forward until cu ff engagement, yet not tight enough to cause injury. 2. The handcuffs will be double -locked and checked by pulling or pushing on the handcuff jaw. 3. After handcuffing, the prisoner shall be thoroughly searched in a systematic manner. 4. After handcuffi ng, female prisoners shall be searched by female deputies except in exigent circumstances, to include: a. Situations in which sufficient probable cause exists to search the female prisoner for weapons. b. Situations in which female deputies are not readily available to search female prisoners. c. When feasible, a second deputy should witness the search of a female if the exigent search is conducted by a male deputy. 8.1.3, Page 3 of 5 5. Prisoners may be handcuffed with hands in front of the body, with palms of hands facing outward. This technique will be used only when special situations exist. a. The handcuffs will be double -locked and checked by pulling or pushing on the handcuff jaw. b. Deputies shall exercise caution and avoid standing directly in front of the prisoner w hen applying or removing handcuffs. D. Special Situations 1. A person in custody who displays evidence of, or complains of, an injury or illness shall receive appropriate medical attention as soon as possible. Deputies shall be guided by EMS or other com petent medical authority in determining the feasibility of utilizing restraints, taking into account the seriousness of the injury or illness coupled with the ability of the person to harm others or escape. If a person is transported to a medical facility , the deputy responsible for custody and control should confirm that the person is properly secured by