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Policy 302Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/07/31, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints - 1Handcuffing and Restraints 302.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidelines for the use of handcuffs and other restraints during detentions and arrests. 302.2 POLICY The Santa Monica Police Department authorizes the use of restraint devices in accordance with this policy, the Use of Force Policy, and Department training. Restraint devices shall not be used to punish, to display authority, or as a show of force. 302.3 USE OF RESTRAINTS Only members who have successfully completed Santa Monica Police Department-approved training on the use of restraint devices described in this policy are authorized to use these devices. Restraint devices include handcuffs, temporary nylon or plastic cuffs, the soft restraints on an ambulance gurney, the WRAP by Safe Restraints and the RIPP hobble. Auxiliary restraint devices include transport belts (waist or belly chains) and transport chains (leg devices). When deciding whether to use any restraint, officers should carefully balance officer safety concerns with factors that include, but are not limited to: •The circumstances or crime leading to the arrest. •The demeanor and behavior of the arrested person. •The age and health of the person. •Whether the person is known to be pregnant. •Whether the person has a hearing or speaking disability. In such cases, consideration should be given, safety permitting, to handcuffing to the front in order to allow the person to sign or write notes. •Whether the person has any other apparent disability (i.e. Prosthetic device or is an amputee). 302.3.1 RESTRAINT OF DETAINEES Situations may arise where it may be reasonable to restrain a person who may, after brief investigation, be released without arrest. Unless arrested, the use of restraints on detainees should continue only for as long as is reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of officers and others. When deciding whether to remove restraints from a detainee, officers should continuously weigh the safety interests at hand against the continuing intrusion upon the detainee. 302.3.2 RESTRAINT OF PREGNANT PERSONS Persons who are known to be pregnant should be restrained in the least restrictive manner that is effective for officer safety. Leg irons, waist chains, or handcuffs behind the body should not be Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Handcuffing and Restraints Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/07/31, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentHandcuffing and Restraints - 2used unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person may resist, attempt escape, injure self or others, or damage property. No person who is in labor, delivery, or recovery after delivery shall be handcuffed or restrained except in extraordinary circumstances and only when a supervisor makes an individualized determination that such restraints are necessary for the safety of the arrestee, officers, or others (Penal Code § 3407; Penal Code § 6030). 302.3.3 RESTRAINT OF JUVENILES A juvenile under 14 years of age should not be restrained unless he/she is suspected of a dangerous felony or when the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the juvenile may resist, attempt escape, injure him/herself, injure the officer, or damage property. 302.3.4 NOTIFICATIONS Whenever a sworn officer transports a person with the use of restraints other than handcuffs, the officer shall inform the jail staff upon arrival at the jail that restraints were used. This notification should include information regarding any other circumstances the officer reasonably believes would be potential safety concerns or medical risks to the person (e.g., prolonged struggle, extreme agitation, impaired respiration) that may have occurred prior to, or during, transportation to the jail. 302.4 APPLICATION OF HANDCUFFS OR PLASTIC CUFFS Handcuffs, including temporary nylon or plastic cuffs, may be used only to restrain a person's hands to ensure officer safety. Although recommended for most arrest situations, handcuffing is discretionary and not an absolute requirement of the Department. Officers should consider handcuffing any person they reasonably believe warrants that degree of restraint. However, officers should not conclude that in order to avoid risk every person should be handcuffed, regardless of the circumstances. In most situations handcuffs should be applied with the hands behind the person's back. Officers should evaluate the need to loosen, tighten, or otherwise adjust the handcuffs in order to provide a more secure restraint of the person's hands and to avoid injury. When feasible, handcuffs shall be double-locked to prevent tightening, which may cause undue discomfort or injury to the hands or wrists. In situations where one pair of handcuffs does not appear sufficient to restrain the person or may cause unreasonable discomfort due to the person's size, officers should consider alternatives, such as using an additional set of handcuffs or multiple plastic cuffs. Handcuffs should be removed as soon as it is reasonable or after the person has been searched and is safely confined within a detention facility. In situations where nylon or plastic handcuffs are used to restrain a persons' hands, officers shall evaluate the need to reposition or reapply the handcuffs in order to avoid injury to the person. Santa Monica Police Department Santa