Policy Text
Policy
512Santa Ana Police Department
Custody Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/04/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police Department***DRAFT*** Use of Restraints - 1Use of Restraints
512.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for the application, supervisory oversight, and restrictions on
the use of restraints on persons incarcerated in this facility.
This policy shall apply to the use of specific types of restraints, such as restraint chairs, ambulatory
restraints, and similar restraint systems, as well as all other restraints, including handcuffs, waist
chains, and leg irons when such restraints are used to restrain any incarcerated person for
prolonged periods.
512.2 POLICY
It is the policy of this department that restraints shall be used only to prevent self-injury, injury to
others, or property damage. Restraints may also be applied according to an incarcerated person's
classification, such as maximum security, to control the behavior of a high-risk incarcerated person
while the person is being moved outside the cell or housing unit.
Restraints shall never be used for retaliation or as punishment. Restraints shall not be utilized
any longer than is reasonably necessary to control the incarcerated person. Restraints are to be
applied only when less restrictive methods, including verbal de-escalation techniques, have been
attempted and are deemed ineffective in controlling the dangerous behavior of an incarcerated
person (15 CCR 1029(a)(4); 15 CCR 1058). Each incident where restraints are used shall be
documented by the handling staff member and placed in the appropriate file prior to the end of
the staff member's shift.
This policy does not apply to the temporary use of restraints, such as handcuffing or the use of
leg irons to control an incarcerated person during movement and transportation inside or outside
the facility.
512.3 USE OF RESTRAINTS - CONTROL
Supervisors shall proactively oversee the use of restraints on any incarcerated person. When
feasible, the use of restraints, other than routine use during transfer, shall require the approval of
the Shift Supervisor prior to application. In instances where prior approval is not feasible, the Shift
Supervisor shall be apprised of the use of restraints as soon as practicable.
Restraint devices, such as restraint chairs, shall only be used on an incarcerated person when it
reasonably appears necessary to overcome resistance, prevent escape, or bring an incident under
control, thereby preventing injury to the incarcerated person or others, or eliminating the possibility
of property damage. Restraints shall not be utilized any longer than is reasonably necessary to
achieve the above goals.
Excluding short-term use to gain immediate control, placing an incarcerated person in a restraint
chair or other restraints for extended periods requires approval from the Jail Administrator or
the authorized designee prior to taking action. The medical staff shall be called to observe the
Santa Ana Police Department
Custody Manual
Use of Restraints
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/04/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police Department***DRAFT*** Use of Restraints - 2application of the restraints, when feasible, prior to the application or as soon as practicable after
the application, and to check the incarcerated person for adequate circulation.
The use of restraints for purposes other than for the controlled movement or transportation of
an incarcerated person shall be documented on appropriate logs and shall be video recorded
unless exigent circumstances prevent staff from doing so. The documentation shall include, at
a minimum, the type of restraint used, when it was applied, a detailed description of why the
restraint was needed, the name of the person authorizing placement, names of staff involved
in the placement, any injuries sustained, when the restraints were removed and the duration of
placement (15 CCR 1058).
The following provisions shall be followed when utilizing restraints to control an incarcerated
person (15 CCR 1058):
(a)Restraints shall not be used as punishment, placed around a person's neck, or applied
in a way that is likely to cause undue physical discomfort or restrict blood flow or
breathing (e.g., hog-tying).
(b)Restrained incarcerated persons shall not be placed facedown or in a position that
inhibits breathing.
(c)Restraints shall not be used to secure a person to a fixed object except as a temporary
emergency measure. A person who is being transported shall not be locked in any
manner to any part of the transporting vehicle except for items installed for passenger
safety, such as seat belts.
(d)Incarcerated persons in restraints shall be housed either alone or in an area
designated for restrained persons.
(e)Restraints shall be applied for no longer than is reasonably necessary to protect the
incarcerated person or others from harm.
(f)Staff members shall conduct continuous direct face-to-face observation at least twice
every 30 minutes on an irregular schedule to check the incarcerated person's physical
well-being and behavior. Restraints shall be checked to verify correct application and
to ensure they do not compromise circulation. All checks shall be documented, with the
actual time recorded by the person doing the observation, along with a description of
the incarcerated person's behavior. Any actions taken should also be noted in the log.
(g)The specific reasons for the continued need for restraints shall be reviewed,
documented, and approved by the Jail Administrator or the authorized designee at
least every hour.
(h)Continuous direct visual observation shall be maintained