Number 09-01
Effective January 15, 2009
HANDCUFFING PORT USE AND TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT
OF ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT
PURPOSE
This Directive provides Court Services Division personnel with procedures to follow
while handcuffing a prisoner while utilizing a handcuffing port.
BACKGROUND
Although not every situation can be anticipated, this Directive will provide guidance
when dealing with difficult and complicated issues. The prioritization and installation of
safety equipment such as handcuffing ports, coded weapons lockers, less-lethal
weapons, prisoner restraints, and camera systems has been undertaken with the
primary goal of providing Court Services Division personnel valuable equipment to make
their daily operation safer. It is recognized that many of our duties, specifically prisoner
handling, involves risk and that equipment alone cannot eliminate all potential problems.
The complexity of our operations and variation in facilities makes it impossible to
mandate specifically how or when to employ safety tools and tactics for the greatest
benefit.
All personnel are granted reasonable discretion and tasked with personal responsibility
to incorporate these and other equipment, within policy, into the performance of their
duties in ways that maximize their own safety as well as that of their partners, the
facility, and the prisoners they manage. In every situation, personnel shall regularly
evaluate the need for appropriate notification, use of back-up personnel, and the use of
available safety equipment when performing their duties. Personnel shall not fail to use
appropriate tactics or available tools, or operate with undue risk simply to save time or
effort.
CSD DIRECTIVE 09-01 JANUARY 15, 2009
Page 2 of 2
POLICY
A lone deputy shall use the available safety options to handcuff an inmate housed in a
cell prior to opening the door. A lone deputy is defined as any deputy 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. All personnel are encouraged to make timely
recommendations for procedural improvement and requests for the repair or
improvement of equipment or facilities.
APPROVED: Original Signed
RICHARD J. BARRANTES, CHIEF
COURT SERVICES DIVISION