Boca Raton Police Department Restraint Devices PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 01.02 RESTRAINT DEVICES Revised: March 17, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide guidelines to law enforcement officers (LEOs) on the use, maintenance and care, training, and reporting pro...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 01.02 RESTRAINT DEVICES Revised: March 17, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide guidelines to law enforcement officers (LEOs) on the use, maintenance and care, training, and reporting procedures for the use of Departmentissued restraint devices to include but not limited to handcuffs, flex cuffs, the Hobble, and the WRAP Restraint. II. PROCEDURE: HANDCUFFSAND FLEX CUFFS: 1. LEOs shall search and handcuff each detainee prior to placing the detainee into a patrol vehicle. 2. LEOs shall handcuff and transport all persons suspected of or charged with felony and/or misdemeanor violations, except under the following circumstances: a. The detainee is injured, and handcuffing will aggravate the injury. b. The detainee, due to advanced age, obvious infirmity, or handicap, is not capable of resistance or escape. 3. The transporting LEO will notify his/her supervisor if handcuffs are not applied. 4. LEOs shall never close handcuffs to the point where the tightness will inflict obvious discomfort or injury to the detainee, as the purpose of handcuffs is to restrain the detainee, not to punish or humiliate him/her. 5. Whenever possible, handcuffs will be secured behind the detainee’s back and double locked. 6. When appropriate, the transporting LEO will remove the handcuffs on arrival at the police station and in the Temporary Detention and Processing Facility (TDPF). 7. Detainees who have demonstrated a propensity for violence at any time prior to arrival at the TDPF shall be taken directly to the Palm Beach County Jail for booking. Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 1 of 6 8. If detainees are taken directly to the Palm Beach County Jail, the on-duty watch commander shall coordinate the transportation of the detainee and all necessary documents required for the booking process at the Palm Beach County Jail. 9. If the detainee becomes unmanageable at the station, the LEO shall place the detainee in a cell before removing the handcuffs with the assistance of another LEO. 10. During the transport of multiple detainees, the LEOs shall handcuff each one individually behind his/her back. See Departmental Standards Directive 71.100 Detainee Transportation for more information on the transportation of detainees. a. LEOs shall not handcuff detainees to any portion of the patrol vehicle. b. In the case of multiple arrests, flex cuffs are permitted when the standard issue handcuffs have already been used and detainees are restrained as stated above. 11. Combative persons will be restrained with handcuffs, unless in an emergency where the LEO might need to utilize any available restraints to control the subject. 12. Each LEO is responsible for the maintenance of his/her handcuffs and to ensure they are functioning properly. If the handcuffs become damaged or are found in a state of disrepair, the handcuffs shall be replaced by the police administrative technician. HOBBLE: 1. The Hobble may be used when a detainee causes or displays a realistic threat of inflicting harm to an LEO, him or herself or others and/or to prevent him/her from damaging property. 2. Whenever an LEO uses a Hobble, a supervisor shall be notified, and it shall be documented in the LEOs Incident Report. 3. LEOs are responsible for the care and cleanliness of his/her assigned Hobble. In the event of a bodily fluid exposure, the Hobble shall be replaced. WRAP RESTRAINT: 1. DESCRIPTION: a. The WRAP is designed as a temporary restraining device. It immobilizes the body and restricts a subject’s ability to kick or do harm to oneself and others. The WRAP minimizes the time required to secure a person safely, restrains the subject in an upright position, and has the subject prepared for transport or movement. Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 2 of 6 2. USE: a. The WRAP may be used prior to or after a violent or potentially violent/combative subject is controlled using approved Departmental methods. LEOs should not assume that the WRAP is escape proof. Once applied, the subject shall not be left unattended. b. The WRAP may be considered for use under the following situations: i. Whenever an LEO anticipates possible violent/combative behavior due to observations of the subject’s agitated state or increasing verbal and physical violence. ii. To immobilize a violent/combative subject. iii. To limit violent/combative subjects from causing injury to themselves or others. iv. To prevent violent/combative subjects from causing property damage. v. When conventional methods of restraint are not effective. vi. When transporting violent/combative subjects. vii. To assist with cell extraction of violent/combative subjects. c. Once the subject is properly restrained in the WRAP, the subject shall be placed on his/her side or in a sitting position. This will increase the oxygen recovery rate and reduce the incidence of respiratory fatigue or positional asphyxia. d. Once the WRAP is used to restrain a subject, a supervisor must authorize the removal of the WRAP unless the subject appears to be in medical distress. 3. APPLICATION: a. At a minimum, two LEOs shall be used to apply the WRAP restraint. For violent/combative subjects, three or more LEOs should be used. Refer to the training manual for application guidelines. 4. TRANSPORTATION: a. Movement of a subject can be accomplished in two ways depending on the cooperation of the subject. i. Carrying the Subject: At least 2 people will be used depending on the size and weight of the subject. Lift the subject by the arms and the ankles. A “log lift” carrying technique may be used when moving the Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 3 of 6 subject. Proper lifting techniques shall be followed to prevent unnecessary injury. ii. Shuffle: Allowing the subject to shuffle may be used as an alternative to lifting. If the subject has calmed down and is cooperative, the lower WRAP leg band may be loosened to allow some leg movement below the knees without compromising security or safety concerns. By loosening the tether to the shoulder harness, the subject can be brought to a standing position with the help of LEOs and then allowed to shuffle to or from a vehicle or holding cell. If this method is used, appropriate support must be given to the subject to prevent possible injury. iii. Prior to vehicle transportation, re-check all belts to ensure that they are securely fastened. The use of a seat belt is recommended to limit movement and reduce the risk of injury to the subject. 5. PRECAUTIONS: a. The shoulder harness shall never be tightened to the point that it interferes with the subject’s ability to breathe. b. The leg bands and shoulder harness must be checked frequently for tightness and re-tightened or loosened as necessary until the WRAP is removed. c. If the restrained subject complains of or shows signs of breathing distress (shortness of breath, sudden calmness, a change in facial color, etc.), notify Fire Rescue immediately and attempt to render aid. d. The subject shall never be left unattended while in the WRAP. e. Subjects shall be placed in an upright sitting position or on his/her side as soon as possible. f. 6. The WRAP is a temporary restraining device and is not escape-proof. TRAINING: a. Only qualified LEOs who have successfully completed the Department’s training in the use of the WRAP shall use this restraining device. 7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE: a. The WRAP shall be inspected after each use for signs of wear or damage. b. If any damage is discovered, forward the WRAP to the Training Unit sergeant for repair or replacement. c. If cleaning is necessary after use, use a mild soapy solution or disinfectant approved for use on vinyl and nylon materials. Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 4 of 6 i. If blood is absorbed into any part of the WRAP that part shall be replaced. ii. Thoroughly rinse all disinfectant from the unit prior to drying. iii. After cleaning the WRAP, allow it to thoroughly air dry before being returned to the carrying bag. 8. STORAGE AND PREPARATION FOR RE-USE: a. It is important that the WRAP is immediately ready for use and prepared for storage in a way that prevents the loop fastening material on the bands from becoming dirty or entangled. This allows the WRAP to be quickly laid out next to the subject and applied without the confusion of having to untangle the bands. b. To properly prepare the WRAP for storage in the carrying bag: i. Lay the WRAP on a flat surface with the leg band side up and detach the shoulder harness. Extend each of the leg bands out flat. ii. Individually fold each of the leg bands back onto itself so that the fold of the band protrudes an inch or two from the edge of the WRAP body. iii. Be sure the retaining “D” ring on the body of the WRAP and harness is open and ready for use. iv. Keeping the bands inside, roll the WRAP tightly towards the buckle and secure with the ankle strap and place in carrying bag. v. Fully extend the harness buckles and tether. Attach buckles to its counterpart and roll the harness up and place it in the carrying bag compartment. 9. REPORTING: a. Whenever an LEO uses the WRAP on a subject, a supervisor shall be notified and, it shall be documented in the LEOs Incident Report. 10. USING THE WRAP IN THE TDPF: a. Detainees who have demonstrated a propensity for violence at any time prior to arrival at the TDPF shall be taken directly to the Palm Beach County Jail for booking. b. In the event a detainee is in the TDPF, and the WRAP is applied on a detainee, the detainee shall be placed in cell one of the TDPF. Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 5 of 6 c. As soon as the subject is placed in the WRAP, a note shall be made in the Detainee Observation Log. d. All observation checks on a detainee in a WRAP will be documented in the Detainee Observation Log and will include the following: i. The time the subject was placed in the WRAP and the name of the supervisor who was notified of this action. ii. If necessary, the time the subject was examined by Fire Rescue Services and the results of the examination. iii. The demeanor and attitude of the subject while in the WRAP, i.e., still violent, calming down, or becoming more aggressive. iv. The time the subject was removed from the WRAP and the supervisor who authorized the detainee’s removal. e. The detainee will be constantly monitored for signs of distress and the LEO will document the detainee’s status every fifteen minutes on the Detainee Observation Log. i. When checking the detainee, the LEO must receive a verbal response. ii. Noting the detainee is sleeping is not acceptable. f. If the LEO observes any signs of distress while the detainee is being restrained in the WRAP, he/she shall notify Fire Rescue Services immediately and attempt to render aid. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: March 16, 2011 Revised: March 17, 2022 Date: Restraint Devices SOP No. 01.02 Page 6 of 6