1-04/070.00 Handcuffing Port Use and Tactical Employment of All Safety Equipment



A lone deputy or CA shall use the available safety options to handcuff an inmate housed in a cell prior to opening the door. A lone deputy or CA is defined as any personnel who does not have backup that can immediately intervene to render aide and assistance to prevent or stop an attack. The handcuffing port shall be used as a physical barrier between the employee and the inmate during the handcuffing process. Sally port gates shall be used as designed to create separation and optimize safety. Personnel who fail to use sound tactics or equipment appropriate to the situation, risk facility security, their own safety and that of others, potential civil liability and administrative discipline.

Supervisors shall regularly monitor and remain familiar with the tactics, practices, and methods used by the personnel they supervise. They shall take positive action to improve the efficiency and safety of their tactics whenever appropriate, including the use of administrative discipline when necessary. It is essential that supervisors also perform the role of liaison with court supervisors and staff with the goal of educating them in the necessity and value of sound tactics and equipment, and to develop their positive support whenever possible.