U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

SECURING SUSPECTS

NCJ Number
65832
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS PROGRAM EXPLAINS THE APPROVED METHODS FOR APPROACHING, SEARCHING, HANDCUFFING, AND TRANSPORTING SUSPECTS, WITH SPECIAL TECHINQUES NOTED FOR HANDLING MULTIPLE ARRESTS, AND DISORDERLY AND FEMALE SUSPECTS.
Abstract
THE SLIDE PRESENTATION SUGGESTS THAT UPON APPROACHING A SUSPECT, OFFICERS SHOULD STAY AT LEAST 10 FEET FROM THE SUSPECT UNTIL HE IS SPREADEAGLED AGAINST A WALL. OFFICERS SHOULD THEN PROCEED TO SEARCH SUCH PLACES AS THE BACK OF THE NECK, UNDER THE LAPELS, IN THE CUFFS, AND BENEATH THE BELT. ITEMS SUCH AS RAZOR BLADES, NARCOTICS, KEYS, AND JEWELRY ARE OFTEN HIDDEN IN THESE LOCATIONS. MOREOVER, THE OFFICER SHOULD CRUSH THE CLOTHING FABRIC DURING A SEARCH, NOT MERELY PAT THE PRISONER'S CLOTHING, AS SMALL OBJECTS COULD BE MISSED. SUGGESTIONS ALSO ARE OFFERED FOR HANDCUFFING THE SUSPECT; THE EMPHASIS IS ON TAKING ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS FOR THE OFFICER'S SAFETY AS CRIMINALS CAN OFTEN USE HANDCUFFS TO THEIR OWN ADVANTAGE. SPECIAL PROCEDURES ARE NOTED FOR ARRESTS MADE IN A PARK OR AN OPEN PLACE IN WHICH THE PRISONER CANNOT BE SPREADEAGLED, AND FOR ARRESTS OF TWO OR MORE PRISONERS. CAUTION, IT IS WARNED, SHOULD BE EXERCISED WITH WOMEN PRISONERS WHO MAY KNOW ALL THE TRICKS OF THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS. THEY CAN JAB OFFICERS WITH THEIR SPIKED HEELS, ACCUSE THEM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR BRUTALITY, AND SLIP OUT OF HANDCUFFS TOO SMALL FOR THEIR WRISTS. ADVICE IS ALSO GIVEN ON HOW TO TRANSPORT ONE OR MORE PRISONERS AND HOW TO HANDLE VIOLENT SUSPECTS. AN INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL AND FIELD NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)