All too often, officers can be seen reaching for their handcuffs as they order a suspect to turn around and put their hands behind their back. There are also many cases where officers reach for their cuffs too early while attempting to control suspects on the ground.
In both cases, when the cuffs come out too early, that usually results in lots of trouble. Accessed too early, the hand holding the handcuffs is useless until the arrestee is in a position of control.
I had a similar situation in the early 1980s when I responded to a domestic call. Immediately upon my arrival, I was attacked by a family member. I reached for my cuffs while we were still standing and fighting and was able to put one of the cuffs on one of his wrists. Then at some point, we both fell to the ground with my left hand holding the handcuffs behind his back. The fall resulted in the fracture of my middle knuckle and my left wrist, rendering my left hand useless. Only after the suspect’s father helped me get the man under control was I able to complete the handcuffing. I should have never grabbed for my handcuffs until the suspect was under control.
ICHST
I started my law enforcement career in the early 1970s and had limited training in defensive tactics or the use and application of handcuffs. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s after attending defensive tactics instructor school, did I learn about the principle of ICHST. Here is what it means:
I – Immobilize
C – Control
H - Handcuff
S - Search
T – Transport
PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE
There could be many reasons why officers access their cuffs too early. Familiarity with the arrestee, overconfidence, apathy, lack of training, or seeing the handcuffing process as routine are all possibilities. Early in my career, I was often told by veteran officers that resistance usually starts just as the cuffs are about to go on or just after they come off. I pretty much found that to be the case. Proper pre-positioning and immobilizing an arrestee’s movements prior to accessing handcuffs are critical components of officer safety.
Conclusion
Handcuffs should never come out of their case until the suspect’s movement has been immobilized and they have been placed into a position of control. Accessing your handcuffs too early can place you at a tactical disadvantage. So, the next time you are getting ready to make an arrest, remember the acronym ICHST. It just may save you from injury and a lot of aggravation.
What are your top techniques for safely handcuffing a suspect? Share in the box below.
Police1 readers respond
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I am a small, older, female officer and have always handcuffed and then searched an arrestee. It is way safer for me because I cannot hold/control hands behind tall/large suspects and search from the top of their heads to their feet without being off-balance from reaching so far off my center of balance. I do think it is important when searching (after cuffing) to first check the body area still accessible by the arrestee after being cuffed (i.e., the waistline). Very much disagree with Koga Method.
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Very similar to jiu-jitsu...position then submission. If you know you want to handcuff a subject, even if they are cooperative, put them in a position of disadvantage BEFORE you make contact with them. Legs spread, back arched, hands behind their back. If they refuse, that is a predictor of potential resistance (passive or active). It should make you reassess how you are going to accomplish the arrest. If it is a serious crime or you expect resistance, learn submissions and arrest positions for prone. Also critically important, learn that a handcuffed prisoner should never be left alone and/or in a prone position. Keep in mind, that when a suspect is in our reach, we are also in theirs. Handcuffing should be done deliberately and with a plan in mind. I personally do not like to search anyone unless cuffed, I also do not take out my cuffs until I have them (the suspect) in the position that makes ME comfortable. Of course, if it is a fight, learning some basic submission holds can be a great help. Seek out some training at a local jiu-jitsu academy!
- They should be off-balance when handcuffing if possible. That way a quick push off at resistance lets you disengage and re-engage at your choosing.
- I am afraid that the author has ignored the fact that in most cases officers should search first and then handcuff. Trying to handcuff first has cost many officers their lives. I agree that the handcuffs should not come out first. The Koga Method teaches that you should handcuff with a degree of control. When the suspect sees that you have your cuffs in your hand, he realizes that he is going to jail and that you cannot access your gun quickly. Studies have shown that the suspect resists over 60% of the time when the officer tries to handcuff. An exception to searching first is when you are already in a struggle or you are doing a prone handcuffing. Even in a prone where the suspect is not resisting and you have your gun in your hand, there is a brief search of where he can reach with his free hand. When I see an officer immediately reach for their cuffs before obtaining a degree of control, I know that they are not well trained.
- I completely disagree with the reader response you should search then handcuff...that’s one of the worst tactics you could ever get accustomed to. Always restrain as soon as possible, then search immediately thereafter. As far as having cuffs in your hand, officers should be trained to hold cuffs in their non-gun hand. I do agree that good control of the suspect, as well as the situation, is important before moving to place handcuffs on that particular suspect.
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This is a great article. I agree with the “position then submission” comment. I disagree with the comment “You should search then handcuff.” It’s a no brainer; it’s way easier to fight someone who’s restrained than not. Personally, I’m not a fan of the handcuffing techniques taught in the KOGA Method. The techniques have way too many steps, lacks reality and escalates the subject’s behavior. This method is outdated and doesn’t meet the standards of the public expectation. In addition, with the rise of MMA, the KOGA method lacks any realistic answers. With that being said, I recommend officers seek a modern solution to today’s problems and avoid handcuffing systems that resemble movie choreography.
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I also disagree with the reader who suggests that the subject be searched prior to cuffing. Steel on flesh first, then search, starting with the area closest to the cuffed hands.
