Handcuffing a detained person.

[HK-40]

At what point ,or what makes You to handcuff a person that You detained?

(While You are getting information regarding the incident that seems unclear to You and Your partner).

[IA300]

?? Not sure exactly what you are asking....

[HK-40]

?? Not sure exactly what you are asking....

You got to a call. Some people say that this person threatened them. The person who is being accused says they did not.

You detain a person to sort things out. no one is hurt and there are no weapons. You are with Your partner.

Suspect is VERY cooperative . You and Your partner DID NOT WITNESS anything criminal other than a verbal exchange.

When do You handcuff them? Or do You handcuff them?

[IA300]

For me, I base it on the circumstances. If the suspect is being cooperative, I wouldn't see a need to cuff him, after a pat down for weapons.
Don't get me wrong, he's likely to be sitting on the curb with his legs straight out, feet crossed and hands on his lap, until I am done.
But circumstances can change in an instant and as soon as I felt that wind of change, cuffs could go on. There really isn't a hard and fast rule.
There is a lot of other factors to consider as well. Is there a crowd? How many people involved? What's everyones demeanor, not just the suspect?, etc.
So, you get the patented LEO answer on this board...Depends!

[center_x]

If its just hear-say that he did something wrong and he's being cooperative, why would you need to handcuff him?

[DEPUTYBILL]

I agree with it depends. Any report of any weapons being involved in the threats? Is the suspect yelling, making threats to the officers that arrive? Is he threatening the victim/reporting party while the officers are there? A lot of factors can be involved.

[ap3572001]

I agree with it depends. Any report of any weapons being involved in the threats? Is the suspect yelling, making threats to the officers that arrive? Is he threatening the victim/reporting party while the officers are there? A lot of factors can be involved.

None if the above. very cooperative suspect

[DX Shooter]

If its just hear-say that he did something wrong and he's being cooperative, why would you need to handcuff him?

Maybe because there's a chance the hear-say could be correct...??

[DEPUTYBILL]

Unless during the interview things change,(like your partner finds out he has warrant(s) for his arrest). Normally, at that point the cuffs go on, cooperative or not.

[CBR_rider]

It all depends. Of course if there are multiple people claiming something happened, that is at least going to initially carry some weight. If I go to a call and four seemingly sober adults are claiming a guy threatened to beat them up and he denies it all, initially I am going to believe the four people versus the one denying it happened. That is why I must investigate their claims: they could all be family and not like the one guy, they could be making it up because he insulted them, etc. Without being there I'm sorry I cannot tell you. Since it seems like you or someone you know were in this situation, did someone ask the LEO why they were cuffed after it was all said and done?

[JM2012]

At what point ,or what makes You to handcuff a person that You detained?

(While You are getting information regarding the incident that seems unclear to You and Your partner).

As usual, the answer is "it depends." There are far too many variables to give a reliable answer. As with almost everything in police work, there is a complicated and constantly shifting calculus going on in the officer(s) mind that determines what tactics are employed. A few of the variables that may be considered:

(As used here, "suspect" can be used interchangeably with "detainee" - whatever you prefer.)

- Type of call responded to/incident on-viewed
- Demeanor of the suspect(s)
- # of suspects vs # of officers
- Size of suspect(s) vs size of officer(s)
- Actual or perceived physical skill of suspect(s) vs that of officer(s) (is the guy super fit and wearing a t-shirt from a local MMA gym? Or is he a couch potato? Is the officer a defensive tactics instructor, or does he barely work out?)
- # of bystanders
- Demeanor of bystanders (is a crowd gathering? Is it hostile? Is it the detainee's family and friends?)
- Probation/parole status of suspect (probably getting cuffed)
- Warrant status of suspect (definitely getting cuffed)
- Prior arrest history of suspect (a lot of prior arrests may = getting cuffed up sooner)
- Prior 148s/resisting by suspect (definitely getting cuffed, even if cooperative now, unless the last 148 was a long, long time ago)
- Other danger potential (e.g., suspect known to carry weapons)
- Is the suspect a known or suspected member or affiliate of a criminal street gang? (definitely getting cuffed)
- Time of day / lighting and weather conditions
- Availability/response time of backup
- Officers' personal prior contacts with the suspect

No one here will be able to give you a simple answer because it's just not a simple question. Way too many variables.

[Ron-Solo]

Too many variables......

[Falconis]

what happened to you? or your "friend"

[9mmepiphany]

When do You handcuff them? Or do You handcuff them?

You are asking when do you handcuff, but it really sounds more like you are asking when can you handcuff.

That is a much easier question to answer...anytime once they are detained

[McTac]

All I ask for LEOs is to look for first Alert bracelets. A close friend is epileptic and during a seizure in a store a LAPD officer cuffed her and tried to arrest her for being under the influence instead of calling for a paramedic. Luckily she came out of it fine and he turned around half way to the station. The first alert bracelet was right there touching the handcuff he put on her. Just my 2 cents. Not everyone is a criminal or a druggy and don't need to be cuffed and stuffed do to a brain injury when she almost died at birth.