Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
SEARCH & HANDCUFF MANU AL
REVISED : 09-95
TO: ALL PERSONNEL
Gene ral Orde r 523.0 2 implemen ts this manua l and require s personne l know its conten ts and follo w its
guideli nes when performin g searche s and handcu ffing suspec ts. This manu al is for departmen tal use
only and does not appl y to the standar d of care , in an evidentiar y sens e in crimina l or civil proceedings.
The instructions , guidelines , and policie s containe d in this manual are not intende d to nor shoul d they
be construe d as a creati on of a lega l standar d of safety or care highe r than the minimu m the law
requires with respec t to third party claims . This policy statemen t is an expansio n of that foun d in the
Gene ral Orde r.
All officers, at one time or anoth er, are subjecte d to the lawfu l necessit y, and the subsequen t dangers,
associate d with physicall y contr olling an individua l withou t resor ting to weapons , and/o r searching and
handcu ffing an individua l unde r lawfu l arrest. This manual has been produce d to assis t officers in
establishin g and main tainin g law enforcemen t professionalis m in the use of search , handcu ffing, and
weaponles s contro l techniqu es.
The Searc h and Handcu ff Manual , RM 523.0 2, expla ins and illustrates departmen t approve d methods
and techniques . These method s and technique s have been designe d to give the officer a margin of
safet y by giving the officer an advan tage over the person . The officer should bear in mind that use of a
particula r search , handcu ff, or weaponles s cont rol techniqu e is depend ent on the totality of the
circums tances.
Whil e this manua l can serv e as the basic guid e and sourceboo k when reviewin g or teachin g department
approved method s and/ or cours es, officer s wishin g to develop , maintain, or enhanc e their skills should
also seek competen t instructio n from departmen t approve d instruct ors.
Additionall y, so that this manua l shall remai n as contemporar y, viable , and usef ul as possible,
employee s shall report , throug h the chain of command , to the Chie f of Polic e (COP) , any discre pancies
they discove r betwee n the conten ts of this manua l, the law, and accep table polic e procedures . Any
procedura l change s mad e to thos e outline d in this manua l shall be at the discretio n of the COP.
SEAR CH & HANDCUFF
SACRAME NTO POLIC E DEPARTMENT
SEARCH & H ANDCUFF MANUAL
SEAR CH & HANDCUFF
1 OF 14
CHAPTER I
CONCEPT S AND STRATEGIES
A. LAW A ND POLICY GUIDELINES
Any peac e officer who has reasonabl e caus e to believ e that the perso n to be arreste d has
committed a public offens e may use reasonabl e force to effect the arrest , to preven t escape , or
to overcome resistance.
1. Departmen t approved search , handc uff, and weaponl ess cont rol technique s are a form of
reasonabl e force.
2. Individu als shall be handle d by officer s only as necessar y in taking them into custod y, to
determi ne that weapons are not bein g concealed , to main tain control while movin g them,
and to ensure complianc e with lawfu l command s of officers.
3. Prisoner s shall be treate d with dignit y and in a fair/human e manne r at all times.
4. Each set of circums tances , suppo rted by the officer' s knowledg e of the laws rega rding
the use of necessar y force will be used to justify his/he r use of that degree of force.
5. Mandator y documen tation procedure s for use of force resultin g in injur y are detailed in
Gene ral Orde r 580.02 , Section H: Mandator y Repo rting Proced ure.
B. TACTICAL CONS IDER ATIONS
It is impossibl e to establis h absolut e rules when determinin g what searc h, handcu ffing, or
weaponles s contro l hold should be used.
1. The officer must accep t the fundamen tal premi se that arres t is an emotiona l as well as
physica l encounte r, and that his/he r profess ional demeano r is one of the greates t assets
in effecting an arrest.
2. Be sure any verbal order s are simple , clear, loud , and distinct.
a. Repea t as necessar y but don't assum e the individua l is bellige rent becaus e they
fail to respon d to your comman d instantly.
b. Ther e may be othe r problem