1. BASIC HANDCUFFING PAT-SEARCHES
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission
Basic Corrections Officer Academy
BASIC HANDCUFFING
PAT-SEARCHES

2. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Demonstrate Proper Pat-Search, and Principles.
Define restraint and their proper use.
Define the 3 types of Handcuffing.
Demonstrate the 2 techniques of Compliant Handcuffing.
Identify Risk Factors in Search and Handcuffing.

3. PAT-SEARCH PRINCIPLES
Be systematic.
Be thorough.
Be consistent.
Be objective
Take your time, concentrate, don’t be distracted by conversation, movement, or other activity.
Explain to the inmate the procedure, give specific, direct instructions.

4. METHODS OF SEARCHING
Quarter the body- ( top right, top left, lower left, lower right )
Squeeze- avoid sliding hand. Squeeze and kneed double material.
Special attention to armpits, waist line, and groin.
Search ankles and footwear.
Avoid touching bare skin.
3 Focus Areas
Waistband
Under arms
Ankles

5. FEMALE SEARCH Sweep Top Of Breast
Thumb To Sternum, Sweep Under Breast, With Back Of Hand
Have Inmate Slightly Bend Forward As Officer Pulls Front Of Bra Away From Body And Shake The Bra Out
Same Principles

6. RESTRAINTS
The Supreme Court ruled that: Use of restraints as punishment is cruel and inhumane punishment.

7. RESTRAINTS DOs and DON’Ts
DO use handcuffs as temporary restraint.
DO ALWAYS handcuff behind the back.
DO secure properly (not to tight or loose)
DO DOUBLE LOCK
DON’T use as punishment
DON’T believe handcuffs totally immobilize
DON’T cuff to stationary objects
DON’T handcuff over clothing

8. TYPES OF HANDCUFFS Chain handcuffs Hinged handcuffs Plastic flex cuffs
Tuff ties
Nylon wraps or bands.

9. LOADING YOUR HANDCUFFS
Set cuffs for easy 1 motion cuffing
Keep cuffs accessible to both hands
Cuff inmate with back of hands together, key holes up, and double lock accessible
Place cuffs between wrist bone and hand ( in the grove)

10. HANDCUFFS NOMENCLATURE
Chained Handcuffs
Hinged Handcuffs
Keyhole
Chain
Swivel Link
Hinge
Double Lock
Ratchet Bar
Handcuff
Face
Rivet
Ratchet Bar
Double Bar
Rivet
Single Bar

11. HANCUFF GRIPS TYPE OF GRIPS THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES STANDARD GRIP
BUTTERFLY GRIP
THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES
Control both cuffs.
Secure grip on Cuff.
Able to Maneuver.

12. PURPOSE OF HANDCUFFING
Handcuffs serve as a temporary restrain.
They are used to:
1. Prevent Attack.
2. Prevent Escape.
3. Prevent the destruction / concealment of evidence or contraband.

13. PROCEDURES FOR HANDCUFFING
C. Control inmate. Then control the handcuffs.
R. Restrain the inmate.
E. Evaluate the situation.
S. Search the inmate.
T. Transport from the area.

14. PRINCIPLES OF HANDCUFFING
The blade (single bar) faces towards the inmates back.
key holes facing the same direction.
The back of the inmate’s hand should be together.
Cuff the inmate’s hands on the thumb side of the wrist.
Cuff with the bottom cuff first. (The cuff next to your pinky finger).
Double lock handcuffs.
Always keep control of inmate.

15. PRINCIPLES OF HANDCUFFING
The primary principle of arrest control is to handcuff first and search later.
When it is time to handcuff, the primary principle of the handcuffing is to control first, then handcuff.
There are three rules to follow for successful application of handcuffs. By following these three rules, handcuffing will be easier to perform and flow better for you.

16. RULES OF HANDCUFFING Handcuffing is broken down into three steps.
TALK – Talk to inmate into position and gain the tactical advantage.
WALK – Move towards the inmate. Use control holds and pressure checks.
LOCK – Handcuff the suspect. Check for proper fitting and double-lock.
Control the inmate first! Then handcuff.

17. HANDCUFFING
Correct application of the handcuffs ensures that the inmate is secured properly and receives no injuries.
The inmate should always be checked for injuries as soon as the handcuffs are removed.
Check for swelling, discoloration, bleeding or cuts.
Ask about pain, tingling or numbness.
If inmate has or complains about any of the above symptoms, inform supervisor and DOCUMENT.

18. LEVELS OF HANDCUFFING
All handcuffing levels are designed to use control holds and the same procedure when applying the handcuffs. Levels of Handcuffing are:
COMPLIANT
COMBATIVE
COERCIVE

19. COMPLIANT
Compliant handcuffing is used when inmate is listening to and obeying commands, and is least likely to resist.
DO NOT ASSUME that because the inmate is compliant that they are not dangerous.

20. COMBATIVE Defensive Tactics/Control Tactics used first.
This level is when the subject is actively resisting and some form of defensive tactics precedes the cuffing procedure.
Since a variety of techniques could be used. The actual positioning for cuffing will also vary.

21. COERCIVE
This level is characterized by the Officer(s) using his firearms or other means of force ( Taser, Pepper Spray) to “Cover” the violator who then is compliant to verbal commands. This level entails clear commands that allows for visual inspection of the violator and then positioning him on the ground or allow for the least dangerous approach.

22. CAUTIONS OF CUFFING Temporary Restraint Does not immobilize the inmate
Do not handcuff to stationary object unless it is designed for that
Handcuff behind back (some exceptions)
Avoid cuffing over clothing (cuff to skin)
Make sure cuffs are reasonably tight and always DOUBLE LOCKED
Remove Cuffs in a safe facility or controlled manor
Remember at all times, inmate is your responsibility

23. COMPLIANT HANDCUFFING TWO TYPES
FAULKNER
PROPER CONTROL POSITION.
HANDS BEHIND BACK
PALMS TOGETHER, FINGERS INNERLACED
PALMS TOWARD GROUND.

24. COMPLIANT HANDCUFFING
2. PALM FORWARD COUNTER JOINT.
Outside Hand Controls Cuffs
Bottom Cuff to inmate’s Thumb side of wrist
Sweep back
Finger Lock inmates outer hand
Apply top side of cuff
Evaluate
Double Lock

25. REVIEW Purpose of restraints. Principles for Pat-Search
Demonstrate Pat-Search
Types of Handcuffs
Levels of Handcuffing
Acronym for Handcuffing
Principles for Handcuffing 1)