Tips for Smart Cops Series
Use of "Wrist Restraints"

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1. Under PGO 29-11, "Wrist Restraints" include handcuffs, handcuff transport belt, plasticuffs, and speedcuffs.

2. The use of "Wrist Restraints" amounts to use of force that must be justified as reasonable and warranted. They should only be used when no lesser degree of force can achieve the purpose.

3. A police officer may use wrist restraints when it is reasonably necessary to ensure the security and control of an arrested person whom he has reason to believe is likely to escape; or to protect himself or another person, including the person to be restrained, from any injury.

4. The use of handcuff transport belt must be authorised by a Sergeant or above.

5. Legal advice has confirmed that both the authorisation and the actual use of handcuff transport belt amount to an exercise of power.

6. Officers shall record in their police notebooks the justifications and other relevant details of the authorisation and the actual use of handcuff transport belt.

(This column is contributed by the Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch)