For those on this board who are police
officers, what are some methods you use
for handcuffing/restraining subjects?

yo, man.i dont think anyone here are police officers

Not sure what you mean.

What position do I prefer as in hands on head, hands out or hands in back? Strong hand vs reactionary (weak) hand? Standing, kneeling or prone?

I prefer hands in back but occasionally use hands on head. I also prefer using my strong hand.

I'm not a police officer but have had many seek advice in the dojo for perfecting the handcuffing technique. Certainly it depends on the situaions. Officers will usually ask why a person was able to get out of or move more freely than they wanted them. Look at perfecting the use of restaints with Nikyo, Ikkyo, and Sankyo in combination with the use of pressure points on the arms, neck, etc. Keeping the wrist and the arm in "proper alignment" is essential. A good knee to the pressure point on side of the leg or kick to the groin area will also help the techniques. Much more could be said about he use of these techniques.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by leescott50:
For those on this board who are police
officers, what are some methods you use
for handcuffing/restraining subjects?[/QUOTE]

I'm no cop but I guess you're not either. Which leads to my question...why you want to know? If you gonna cuff some dude you don't need the kind of restraint that cops use, crack his head and then cuff him. If you cuff a lady, maybe she's gonna let you. ;->

I am not a police officer, but I have had occasion to cuff someone who did not want to be. I work Retail Loss Prevention, so it wasn't anything kinky(for the most part [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG] )

I prefer them prone, my knee on their jaw line with their hand on the side I am kneeling on up behind their back "chicken winged"(sorry, do not know the jujitsu term for this).

Interesting. If you are not a LEO and you are attempting to handcuff someone as part of your Security duties, then you need to think about your Use of Force restrictions.

Retail merchants are notorious for throwing you a set of handcuffs and you are your own on learning how and when to use them. You are limited by law on how much force you can use to protect someone's property.

"I prefer them prone, my knee on their jaw line" is going to jam you up sooner or later. If you are going to be a professional...learn specific Arrest and Control tactics designed to help you in court as well as the street.

Police officers I have worked with showed that to me.
I am allowed to use the force necessary to ensure my safety, the safety of the subject. I am familiar with the State laws regarding use of force. Cuffs are only ever used when the subject attempts to flee or fights,which is around 1% of all shoplifters. After 12 years of experience in apprehending and detaining shoplifters, over 700 aprehensions, 12 years of never losing a case in court-I assure you I know what I am doing. Calling my professionalism into question is rather childish.

Most aikido techniques using wristlocks do not work. I have found better success with arm bars/locking out the elbow with the subject prone.
Placing my knee on their jawline secures their head-keeping them from moving without causing physical damage. I do not see what the problem is?


[This message has been edited by nekogami13 V2.0 (edited 07-01-2004).]

After 12 years of experience in apprehending and detaining shoplifters, over 700 aprehensions, 12 years of never losing a case in court-I assure you I know what I am doing.

Excellent work. Continued success to you. My interest is in promoting a constructive coversation and exchange of ideas. Unfortunately, there are many people on these boards who spout questionable tactics to people who are looking to enhance their personal safety. That bothers me.

Calling my professionalism into question is rather childish.

That was not my intention and I apologize if it sounded that way. My point is that if you are going to use control tactics in your job, then it is only reasonable that you should seek out qualified instruction that deals not only with the mechanics of such holds, but the issues of liability as well. You did not mention where you received this training in your first post.

Police officers I have worked with showed that to me.

Now we are getting somewhere. Were these police officers qualified Use of Force instructors? Don't laugh at the question. The reson I ask is that the practice of kneeling on the jawline (head/ neck area) has been dropped in favor of directing the knee pressure away from that area and onto the upper back or between the shoulder blades...all due to liability issues resulting from real or false injuries claimed by suspects. This is the same general reason given for removing the pressure point at the hinge of the jaw (TMJ) from LEO academy curriculums.

Most aikido techniques using wristlocks do not work. I have found better success with arm bars/locking out the elbow with the subject prone.

I certainly agree with you there. Large or weigh bearing joints like the elbow, shoulder, hip and knee should be the priority.

Best wishes for your continued safety and success.

I have no idea if the officers I worked with were certified anything. They showed me a tactic, it worked-I used it. Also consider this was roughly 16 years ago.

Not being exposed to the same thing LEO's are, I am not aware of legal issues regarding that tactic or the use of the pressure point at the hinge of the jaw(which is one of my favorites).

I have a background in MA's, that includes elements of aikido, jujitsu and exposure to BJJ. Most of the training I have is geared towards breaking/damaging the joints-not on compliance without imjury. I do not have training geared towards law enforcement use.

At least I didn't recommend the good ol' ground and pound or a neck crank! [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG]