Common Types of Police Restraints: A Short Guide

Different police precincts utilize different protocols for the use of police restraints, but there are many different situations in which the use of approved restraints may be used by law enforcement officers, not only to ensure the security of officers present, but also of bystanders, and of the suspect himself.

While the conditions surrounding the appropriate use of police restraints vary, there are still a few different types of restraints that are by far the most common. They will be covered in this short post.

Police handcuffs are among the most commonly utilized of all restraints, and most consist of a design with two locking cuffs, engaged or disengaged with a key, and connected with a short length of chain.

When a suspect is placed in handcuffs, with the hands behind the back, he or she will experience a drastically reduced range of motion, and when properly restrained, strain on the suspect’s shoulders should be lessened, making handcuffs a potentially human form of police restraint.

Ultimately used to restrict a suspect’s hands and arms, handcuffs are often used as a preliminary means of restraint, whether or not the suspect in question is ultimately placed under arrest, in order to maintain control, order, safety, and to prevent the situation from escalating.

The use of handcuffs can, however, require a considerable use of force and it also can place significant strain on the user’s wrists and shoulders. Moreover, police handcuffs are not single use and therefore are subject to all applicable disinfection protocols between uses.

Zip ties (also sometimes referred to as cable ties) are sometimes used by officers as a restraint in lieu of police handcuffs for a variety of reasons.

One is that zip ties are single use and most must be cut after use, and therefore can be discarded after use. This makes them much easier to work with since they do not need to be disinfected.

The use of zip ties as a police restraint also frees officers from the need to carry a key for use with handcuffs. They can both be applied and removed without the need for a key.

Moreover, despite the fact that they are by nature single-use, they are often much more economical and affordable by contrast to real police handcuffs which are usually made from steel.

If that weren’t enough, zip ties are lighter and easier to carry than steel handcuffs and an officer can carry several pairs of zip ties in the same space that would be reserved for only one pair of handcuffs. Additionally, for the most part they offer a greater degree of adjustability than even high-quality police handcuffs.

It is, however, important that where zip ties are used by law enforcement officers as a police restraint, that only appropriate versions are used so as to minimize suspect discomfort and lower the risk of injury.

For instance, police zip ties should have a smooth inside surface and rounded corners (among other features) so as to lower discomfort and lessen the risk of injury.

Police leg restraints are another broad class of restraint sometimes used by law enforcement officers in order to restrict a suspect’s range of motion with his or her legs, ankles, or lower body in general.

Police leg restraints vary considerably in design and some are designed to make it difficult for a suspect to run or walk quickly, but still leave enough range of motion to allow the suspect to walk. Other leg restraints are designed to nearly completely immobilize a suspect.

Some leg restraints, like leg irons, are basically designed like handcuffs for a suspect’s ankles. They feature adjustable cuffs that typically enclose a suspect’s ankles and are interconnected by a chain, thereby limiting range of motion.

Another type of leg restraint known as a WRAP restraint sports a slightly different configuration and is designed to limit a suspect’s ability to kick, thereby minimizing the risk of injury to officers and bystanders.

Waist chains, also known as belly chains and sometimes as Martin chains, are a special type of police restraint that is worn around the suspect’s or prisoner’s waist. These chains are typically connected either to handcuffs or leg irons, and sometimes to both. When utilized appropriately, they can allow law enforcement personnel a much finer degree of control over a prisoner’s or suspect’s range of motion.

You’re in the right place to learn more about police restraints, as Kiesler Police Supply has been a trusted provider of official law enforcement supplies for over 50 years. You can find our full collection via the previous link, but if you have more in-depth questions about police restraints in general, the products we sell, or others not listed here, get in touch with one of our representatives and we will be happy to help.