Policy Text
Page 1 of 14 General Order 06-10 (07/31/2024 )
RESTRAINT AND TRANSPORTATIO N OF CUST ODIAL ARRESTEES
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject : RESTRAINT AND TRANSPORTATION OF
CUSTODIAL ARRESTEES Chapter
6 Number
10 Pages
14
References:
CALEA Standards: 70.1.1, 70.1.2, 70.1.3, 70.1.4, 70.1.5,
70.1.6 a, 70.16 b ,70.1.6 c, 701.6d, 70.1.6 e, 70.1.7 a,
70.1.7 b, 70.1.7 c, 70.2.1, 70.3.1, 70.3.2, 70.4.1, 70.4.2,
71.1.1, 71.3.2, 71. 3.3a, 71.3.3b, 71.3.3d, 71.3.3e
Related Orders: Effective Date : 07/31/2024
Revised By: PD-132
Prv. Rev. Date: 07/29/2021
Chief of Police :
If any provision of this General Order conflicts with any collective bargaining article, the collective bargaining
agreement shal l govern.
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this direc tive is to establish the proper guidelines f or handling custodial
arrestees . This directive also includes the proce dures to be used for reducing the risk of
positional asphyxia when s uspects are taken into custody.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Information has been ad ded reference precinct restraint kits being separate from the
patrol wagons . Procedures for transporting a prisoner in a non -caged patrol vehicle have
been updated . Verbiage has been updated with regards to th e mittimus process . All
corrections will show i n bold and italicized print.
III. POLICY
Transportation of persons in custody is a constant requirement and a frequent activity. In all
instances of transfer of persons in custody, officers shall take care not to endanger
themselves w hile ensuring the prison er’s safety, thus limiting opportunities for escape.
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to ensure t hat all persons under arrest are
handled as safely and efficiently as possible to protect the police, the arrestee, and citizens
alike. An o fficer may use whatever force they reasonably believe is necessary to make an
arrest to protect them and the public from bodily harm. To that end, all arrestees placed in a
police vehicle will be searched, properly handcuffed, and secured, to include s eat belt usage ,
when applicable , even if the arrestee is to be held only temporarily.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All emp loyees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this General Order. Responsibility rests w ith the Divi sion Commander to ensure that any
Page 2 of 14 Gene ral Order 06-10 (07/17/2024 )
RESTRAINT AND TRANSPORTATION OF CUST ODIAL ARRESTEES violations of policy are investigated and appropriate, training, counseling and/ or
disciplinary action is ini tiated.
This directive is for internal use only and does not enlarge an emplo yee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or care
in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if
proven, can only form the basis of a complain t by this Department, an d then only in a
non-judicial administrative setting.
V. PROCEDURE
A. Securing Custodial Arrestees : [CALEA 70.2.1]
Department -approved restraining devices (handcuffs , leg irons, and/or belly chains)
shall be used whenever a detainee or arre stee is taken i nto custody . The devices shall
remain in place until the detainee is released from custody , or the arrestee is
transported and arrives at his /her destination , unless the application of such devices are
a risk to a prisoner’ s health or safety due t o a physi cal condition (handicap, injury, or
illness) or mental state, or the application is physically i mpossible to accomp lish.
Any person(s) placed in handcuffs are solely the responsibility of the arresting
officer(s). The offi cer(s) shall not d elegat e unsecur ed custody of a detainee to any non -
sworn personnel. If delegating control of a handcuffed person to another on -duty
officer, a clear concise communication should be transmitted b etween the officers.
Intervention of medic al personnel may n ecessi tate the removal of handcuffs, positional
adjustment of body or both. Any deviation from handcuffing to t he rear or in a
prolonged prone position should be assessed with concern for the safety of the officer,
the public and the deta inee.
1. Handcuf f Proc edure:
a) Officers shall handcuff all adult arrestees. Juvenile offenders, regardless
of age,