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Main Page Use of Handcuffs by Security Officers?
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Posted by: LPDETECTIVE

Can a Security Officer utilize Handcuffs to detain a subject commitng a crime until police arrive? My response to this question is no because of civil liability and possibly lack of training., but other officers seem to think this is acceptable. Citizens Arrest (but thougt this was only a verbal command) please elaborate on this, curious to see the offical law and or the opinions on this topic. Thanks.

Posted by: reno911_2004

If I remember correctly, citizen's arrest allows for a citizen to stop and detain another person who "IN FACT COMMITTED" a FELONY only. This means that in order for the private citizen to be shielded from civil liability (i.e. a big fat lawsuit for A&B, etc.), the suspect would need to be convicted in criminal court. The reason for that high standard is to deter people from running around arresting each other. For sworn LEO, the standard is probable cause.

Posted by: soxrock75

This is a touchy subject indeed. I was under the impression that you could handcuff someone to detain them because you don't have to be a sworn LEO to handcuff someone. As far as the liability end of it, the way society is today, no matter what you do, you are always open to lawsuits. Personally, if I was private security or LP, I would only handcuff someone that is a threat to themselves or others and my company had a WRITTEN policy on handcuffing as well as providing some sort of training on proper handcuffing techniques. That way, when the inevitable lawsuit comes up, you can say that you were acting in accordance with your company's written policy and you can provide documentation of proper training. That might save you on the individual liability end and put the focus on the company. Most people are going to see more $$$ with the store than the individual anyway, but it's always nice to not have to worry about it.

Posted by: Foxracingmtnridr

Having a security and Loss Prevention Background I would say don't cuff someone at all. Unless you are a constable or a special in the city/town you are working in and you have that for the purpose of your specific job. The other thing with handcuffing someone is if they really wanna go crazy they can say that they were being held against their will which is basically kidnapping. Which would suck to have on your record. If you make a grab and the subject wants to run and you already recovered the merchandise then let them go. Cause trust me losing $100 in Civil fines or merch. is alot cheaper for the Company then getting sued for thousands of dollars. If you get the 5 elements and the person stops and you tell them that it's on video and you will contact the police if they run then you should be all set. Most of the time they won't run because they know how petty it is for them if they just stay. Just my

Scott

Posted by: melissa112580

When i was a security officer i carried handcuffs....but i never used them on anyone nor would i use them. I carried them on me for the purpose of assisting the police, if they needed an extra set of cuffs.

Posted by: tigerwoody

I am in Nuclear Security and our cuffing procedures are the same as for making a citizens arrest

Posted by: Foxracingmtnridr

Also where I work now I carry cuffs. The environment in which I work is kinda weird. Because it is high on the terrorist watchlist if someone tries to compromise the security of the facilities they are either getting cuffed and stuck in a corner or they are catching some lead. Under our contract with the Government (Centers For disease Control) I can basically do what i deem reasonable at the time. If someone were to compromise the security of the facilities alot of bad stuff would get out, including but not limited to SARS, Smallpox, Clostrium Difficile, Yellow Fever and other bad things. So i'm gonna do what I have to do when it comes down to it. If Joe Schmoe comes off the elevator and is a loopy ex employee saying he's gonna go in and beat the crap out of someone he's getting cuffed and he will get proper accommodations at the Cambridge Police Department if Charlie Taliban gets off the elevator with weapons he's going to get to either get accommodations at a local hospital or a local morgue simple as that. Once again just my

Scott

Posted by: TripleSeven

I just got a part time job in Boston doing armed security details (crime prevention officer). I carry cuffs but I would only use them if the are absolutley neccessary. I will be working primarily in markets where shoplifting is a big problem. 99% of the time, the store owners do not want to prosecute and just let them go as long as they get their stuff back. The only time I would cuff someone is if in fact they did commit a felony or if i feel it would be neccessary to prevent them from hurting other people. At my other job, which I've been at for 2 years, (public safety- Quincy Medical Center, even though there have been numerous times we've needed them.

Posted by: LenS

Scott,

The CDC will NOT defend you if you do what you feel is appropriate! Tiger can probably also relate to the story below.

In 1978-9 I worked as an engineer for Yankee Atomic Electric Company and I was assigned to Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Plant (RIP). Since I was a Reserve PO and my cube at the plant (my real office was back in Westboro) was across the hall from the office of the Security Director we used to chat about security, MA gun laws, etc. He (George Murphy) was a retired Capt. (IIRC) Mass State Police and a real good guy. NRC regs said that anyone crossing over the fences into the nuke plant grounds was to be shot on sight! MA laws says if you do that you are going to the "big house" for a very long time! So I asked George what he taught his security force and he told me that he read them the Fed Regs and then read them the MA Laws and told them to use very good judgment! George told me that more than one lost hunter came over the fence with their shotguns, and his security force ascertained that the intrusion was innocent and escorted the lost hunters to the front gate/road and let them go . . . nobody got shot.

The one thing that all of us have to remember at all times (LEO or private security) is that the most powerful weapon we have is between our ears! Let that guide all other actions/reactions. [NOTE: If someone crosses the line and starts shooting, then all bets are off and we need to act accordingly. All other intrusions have to be evaluated and response has to be measured for appropriateness.]

Posted by: Foxracingmtnridr

I understand where you are coming from but where I am Is a little different then the nuke plant. It's not like some guy is gonna come onto my property here by accident. You can't get in here without having background investigations and an ID that has to be scanned at every door. So if charlie taliban get's in here he's getting a lead injection no if ands or buts about it. Trust me they'd rather have me shoot him then have him get his hands on the many viruses that we have in the building. Just to let you know smallpox kills 7 out of 10 people infected with it. And this lab is the only lab in the world that produces the vaccine for it. I'm not some trigger happy rent-a-cop just sitting here waiting with my hand on my gun to shoot anyone that get's an attitude with me. But i will do anything I have to do to to keep the property secure.

Scott

Posted by: Killjoy

LP departments detain shoplifters under the MGL covering shoplifting (I can't remember the specific chapter but I'll look it up), not "citizen arrest" laws. This allows merchants (or their agents ) to detain shoplifters until the police arrive. I worked LP in downtown crossing for several years while in college, before I became a police officer, and we all carried and used handcuffs extensively. The BPD never begrudged us, as they knew we were getting in fistfights practically every day. Some of our staff were also specials to allow us to do our own summonses.

Posted by: LenS

Scott, I wasn't picking on you. I was just reflecting that those that make the "rules" on what you should do will NOT be there to defend your actions! You will be on your own defending whatever you do. That is just a fact of life.

I recall attending a LE conference at Dean Jr. College (many years ago they did this annually) where an attorney brought two of his clients in to discuss the personal anguish and financial burden of being sued for justifiable shoots on-duty! Both officers were sued personally and went thru ~4 years of hell each. They were eventually exonerated, but they described the personal toll it took on them and their family.

Just remember, every perp out there "is just a real good person" who just stumbled into the wrong place and meant no harm (in spite of having weapons or explosives on him), etc. ad nauseum!

Posted by: Foxracingmtnridr

Quote:

Originally Posted by LenS @ Wed 01 Dec, 2004

Scott, I wasn't picking on you. I was just reflecting that those that make the "rules" on what you should do will NOT be there to defend your actions! You will be on your own defending whatever you do. That is just a fact of life.

I recall attending a LE conference at Dean Jr. College (many years ago they did this annually) where an attorney brought two of his clients in to discuss the personal anguish and financial burden of being sued for justifiable shoots on-duty! Both officers were sued personally and went thru ~4 years of hell each. They were eventually exonerated, but they described the personal toll it took on them and their family.

Just remember, every perp out there "is just a real good person" who just stumbled into the wrong place and meant no harm (in spite of having weapons or explosives on him), etc. ad nauseum!

I know you weren't picking on me pal

And if i thought you were I'd fight back

Thanks for the info.

And in closing in the great words of Eric Cartman " Whateva whateva I'll do what I want!!"

Scott

Posted by: TripleSeven

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killjoy @ Wed Dec 01, 10:47

LP departments detain shoplifters under the MGL covering shoplifting (I can't remember the specific chapter but I'll look it up), not "citizen arrest" laws. This allows merchants (or their agents ) to detain shoplifters until the police arrive. I worked LP in downtown crossing for several years while in college, before I became a police officer, and we all carried and used handcuffs extensively. The BPD never begrudged us, as they knew we were getting in fistfights practically every day. Some of our staff were also specials to allow us to do our own summonses.

Killjoy,

Thats good to know... this new job i'm taking is in some tough areas in Boston and I was told to expect shoplifters every shift. I'll be working in the South End, Dorchester, and Allston. If you find the chapter stating that law, let me know. Thanks

Posted by: LPDETECTIVE

chapt266 30a if u want to discuss more on lp/security stuff i suggest www.lpinformation.com www. retaillossprevention.com www.retail.spy.com same type of forum

Posted by: tigerwoody

Good point LENs and good story. To say that if anyone attempts to hop a fence at a nuke plant gets shot is wrong. Our rules of engagement are the same for the military....don't shoot until shot upon, no matter what the person is doing. That means even if they are running with stolen nuranium past you, you dont shoot them in the back of the head. You use sound judgement and use other means to make sure he doesnt make it out the plant....call other force members to intercept him or lock the gates, etc. Now if he use shooting as hes running, thats a different story. In any security job if your superior says to shoot and kill for something that is non life threating, he or she shouldnt be carrying a gun or running the show. Jobs like security, loss prevention, store detectives, etc, can help your LE career but if you do something unlawful or stupid like shooting an intruder that is just lost, you can kiss your LE career and LTC goodby.

Posted by: bstrawse

I've a bit of expertise in this having worked in the retail loss prevention field for the last eleven years - and two years of law enforcement prior to that.

That said, the following comments are mine and should not be taken as policy or guidance of my employer....

Regardless of the state, retail loss prevention "detains" individuals under each state's "merchant privilege" statue - which authorizes the owner / manager / agent of a retail company to detain those to commit the act of shoplifting as defined under their state law.

Most state statutes do not directly address the use of force and/or handcuffs in their statute - but it's generally accepted that a certain level of force can be used to detain an individual under this statute - and that handcuffs can be legally used by retail loss prevention.

It's my own personal belief that most, but not all, violent situations encountered by retail LP could be avoided through a more professional approach to the position - particularly in the initial confrontation to detain a shoplifter. And then, when things turn sour, it's often better to walk away than to try to use force to detain someone.. but there is a time and place where the safest thing to do is to restrain the individual and turn them over to law enforcement.

Simply from a safety standpoint - handcuffs are critical, in my mind, to being able to protect one's self in a retail loss prevention position. But they should be rarely used.

I believe that retailers as a whole have to do a better job of trainign their employees on dealing with violent situations - certify them in handcuff usage - and then provide them with effective continuing education and re-certification on a regular basis.

I've had some discussions with several law enforcement agencies here in Massachusetts about the use of force and handcuffing - I've found once I explain where I'm coming from - what training should be in place - etc, most objections go away.

I have found, however, that many retailers simply take a different approach in the relationship to law enforcement - particularly with this issue - that only leads them to significant perception and credibility issues down the road.

I'll climb off my soapbox now

Thanks,
Bryan

Posted by: michaelbos

How about, being an agent ( and I don't mean secret agent) of said company, may it it be Macy's, Sears etc. One who works loss prevention or security becomes agents (representatives) of said company. I thought I remember in an old class an instructor mentioned something like that. Though I do remember the class room was hot and it could have been the heat

Posted by: bstrawse

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelbos @ Wed 01 Dec, 2004 15:36

How about, being an agent ( and I don't mean secret agent) of said company, may it it be Macy's, Sears etc. One who works loss prevention or security becomes agents (representatives) of said company. I thought I remember in an old class an instructor mentioned something like that. Though I do remember the class room was hot and it could have been the heat

I'm a bit unsure as to what you're asking.

But that said, working for a retailer makes you an "agent'" of that retailer in the legal sense of the word --

Bryan

Posted by: PearlOnyx

Two interesting related situations, I've overheard over the years:

About five years ago, when I was in-between jobs after a layoff, I interviewed with a Supervisory position with Target stores, as a Regional Loss Prevention Manager. The guy who did my interview, who I also worked with part-time at my old job, told me that the particular Target Store that we were in had an agreement with the local PD, and lawfully (on-site manager only) used handcuffs to detain the occasional disruptive shoplifter.

Second, how about hospital security officers detaining patients detained under Section 12, who are attempting to leave? When I worked in hospital security, there was talk of allowing security officers to use handcuffs as a temporary emergency restraint to detain these people. I left before anything was put in place. As an agent of the hospital, you were often called to snatch up the mentally ill fleeing from the emergency room and what not. This would occasionally lead you out on a little pursuit into a hallway or an ambulance bay where you couldn't exactly put the guy in four point restraints. Anyone from MGH or NEMEC (or anyone else for that matter), do your non-sworn staff have the ability to do this?

Posted by: Sgt.berniedo

When I worked armed security in a major city in MA a couple years back, the attitude was don't call the police for anything but an arrest. When you do, have the prisoner bundled and ready for the wagon. We handled domestics and all kinds of matters if it was in a hotel or rental building we covered.
We were expected to handcuff suspects and use the force necessary to subdue them. We carried guns, OC, handcuffs, batons- whatever the police had, we did too. We would onlly have a problem if we didn't take care of situations ourselves.

Posted by: bstrawse

Quote:

About five years ago, when I was in-between jobs after a layoff, I interviewed with a Supervisory position with Target stores, as a Regional Loss Prevention Manager. The guy who did my interview, who I also worked with part-time at my old job, told me that the particular Target Store that we were in had an agreement with the local PD, and lawfully (on-site manager only) used handcuffs to detain the occasional disruptive shoplifter.

Target doesn't have regional LP managers and hasn't for many many years now. Are you sure you weren't interviewing for something else?

Posted by: TripleSeven

[quote="Second, how about hospital security officers detaining patients detained under Section 12, who are attempting to leave? When I worked in hospital security, there was talk of allowing security officers to use handcuffs as a temporary emergency restraint to detain these people. I left before anything was put in place. As an agent of the hospital, you were often called to snatch up the mentally ill fleeing from the emergency room and what not. This would occasionally lead you out on a little pursuit into a hallway or an ambulance bay where you couldn't exactly put the guy in four point restraints. Anyone from MGH or NEMEC (or anyone else for that matter), do your non-sworn staff have the ability to do this?[/quote]

I've been at Quincy Medical Center for almost two years and my soft and fluffy director is the only thing preventing us from carrying cuffs or zip ties. In two years, there have been at least two doezen times where i had to chase patients on section 12's or suicidal people. A few of them resulted in us using a good deal of force and/or pepper spraying them. Only to just lay there pinning them to the ground until the police arrived.. once, when it was me and a female on, (nothing against the ladies), it took the cops 15 f'n minutes to get there while i had this 25 yr old psycho punk in a guillotine choke hold... thats just ONE of the many occasions where we NEEDED something to restrain a patient. To me, authorizing us to carrt OC but not cuffs is just plain stupid.

Posted by: MRC

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstrawse @ Dec 01 2004 07:11 pm

Quote:

Target doesn't have regional LP managers and hasn't for many many years now. Are you sure you weren't interviewing for something else?

I know at least 2 years ago when I left Target, there were APTL's, DAPTL's, and I'm pretty sure there were RAPTL's.
APTL = Assets Protection Team Leader (In store)
DAPTL = District Assets Protection Team Leader (District office for the north shore is behind Staples at the LTM)
RAPTL = Reigional Assets protection Team Leader

Posted by: bstrawse

[quote="ExplSgt971 @ Wed 01 Dec, 2004 19:47"][quote="bstrawse @ Dec 01 2004 07:11 pm"]

Quote:

DAPTL = District Assets Protection Team Leader (District office for the north shore is behind Staples at the LTM)
RAPTL = Reigional Assets protection Team Leader

Target has Group Assets Protection Team Leaders - there are no regional assets protection team leaders.

Posted by: MRC

[quote="bstrawse @ Dec 01 2004 08:53 pm"][quote="ExplSgt971 @ Wed 01 Dec, 2004 19:47"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstrawse @ Dec 01 2004 07:11 pm

Quote:

DAPTL = District Assets Protection Team Leader (District office for the north shore is behind Staples at the LTM)
RAPTL = Reigional Assets protection Team Leader

Target has Group Assets Protection Team Leaders - there are no regional assets protection team leaders.

That would be the term! I couldn't remember it though. I know that Target in danvers has handcuffs, on the APS' and TPS'

Posted by: Muggsy09

I worked Loss Prevention for about a year and some of us did carry handcuffs I never saw anyone use them and I never used them myself but our store policy did say that if we had a violent subject we could use handcuffs. Now that I am a LEO I'm glad I didn't use them because at the time I had no training in handcuffing procedure and now feel it could have been a huge liability.

Posted by: copcar65

Couple of quick thoughts on handcuff use by non-sworn officers:

1)266 s30a only says the word of a store owner or his agent is pc for an arrest by police. It doesn't give the authority to detain. I believe that may be found in case law as I vaguely remember something about "reasonable measures" to detain until police arrive.

2)New law on the books (266 s143G) allows movie theatre owners or their agents or servants authorized for such purpose to detain someone in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time who tries to record a movie in a theatre. The weird thing is a first offense of that section is a misdemeanor with no statutory power of arrest. The theatre security guard could cuff a suspect until the cops arrive to summons him?

3)Hospital staff is okay cuffing someone on a section 12 because they are doing it on doctors orders - so long as it is reasonably necessary.

By the way I don't believe there is anything in the statutes specifically authorizing police to use handcuffs when making an arrest. The handcuffs aren't really the issue. it is whether you have the authority to detain. Shy of the 3 examples above and of course a citizens arrest for felony in presence I'm not aware of any others.

Guess those thoughts weren't that quick - oh well.

Posted by: bstrawse

RE: The Merchant Privilege Statute

Like most Mass Laws, it's vague, but it's found in MGL 231-94B:

Quote:

In an action for false arrest or false imprisonment brought by any person by reason of having been detained for questioning on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises of a merchant or an innkeeper, if such person was detained in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable length of time by a person authorized to make arrests or by the merchant or innkeeper or his agent or servant authorized for such purpose and if there were reasonable grounds to believe that the person so detained was committing or attempting to commit a violation of section thirty A of chapter two hundred and sixty-six, or section twelve of chapter one hundred and forty, or was committing or attempting to commit larceny of goods for sale on such premises or larceny of the personal property of employees or customers or others present on such premises, it shall be a defense to such action.

Bryan

Posted by: RPD931

Having a background in Hospital Security, Retail Loss Prevention and Law Enforcement the primary liability issue is TRAINING. If you are going to use handcuffs, you should be trained by a certified instructor. If you cause wrist damage or otherwise, it's going to cost you and/or your company BIG $$$. In a hospital setting we use it for various reasons, primarily for Section 12 patients trying to 'flee' or other disruptive/combative individuals. I used them in Loss Prevention too with uncooperative shoplifters. In LP I only used cuffs 3 or 4 times. In the inner-city hospital setting it is much more frequent. Of course as a PO, quite frequently.

If you plan to use cuffs, even if there is less than a 1% chance, you need to be trained to reduce liability.

Posted by: LPDETECTIVE

So then it is okay for a loss prevention officer to detain and if necessary to cuff the subject as long as lpo has had proper training in cuffing procedure? This is intewresting topic to discuss because Ive heard of some maybe 2-3 cities tell the lpos that they can not use cuffs where other departments ar cool with it??t

Posted by: bstrawse

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPDETECTIVE @ Thu 02 Dec, 2004 12:19

So then it is okay for a loss prevention officer to detain and if necessary to cuff the subject as long as lpo has had proper training in cuffing procedure? This is intewresting topic to discuss because Ive heard of some maybe 2-3 cities tell the lpos that they can not use cuffs where other departments ar cool with it??t

I've found a meeting with the command staff of a PD where one outlines the training and policies involved with the use of handcuffs tends to alleviate their concerns - as long as you're willing to hold your folks accoutnable to those guidelines.

Alot of this just comes down to the partnerships that you choose to build with law enforcement - and the people you choose to hire - that makes all of the difference.

If the police believe your staff is a bunch of cowboys - you're going to have issues.

Bryan

Posted by: copcar65

Bryan,

Thanks for the cite. For some reason I couldn't find that when I was searching.

LPDETECTIVE - the statute says a merchant or his agent can detain someone using reasonable means. You shouldn't make blamket satements saying security can handcuff because if it is a six year old girl who took a candy bar or even a compliant 25 year old guy, you may have a hard time arguing that it was reasonable. As far as training - the statute does not require it. That being said, I still think it would be foolish to try something like handcuffing an unruly person w/o proper training and for liabilty reasons, documentation of the training. You also need to consider your companies policies as well. Above all I can't agree more with a meeting between company and PD reps to make sure you're all on the same page. Even if you're on strong legal standing, a pissed off officer who charges you with false imprisonment could ruin your life for a while.

Posted by: PearlOnyx

To address the Target issue:

This was approximatley four or five years ago. The guy was my buddy who I worked with PT at another place who was leaving, so it was a super informal interview, to replace him in his position. To my understanding of the position at the time, he worked mostly out of the Saugus store, but also had supervisory responsibility for the Danvers store, and who knows what else. I wasn't all that much interested so didn't look into the details too much. I got hired by the Sheriff's Department a week or so later anyway. Other than that, I don't know much about the job.

Posted by: Macop

he told me that he read them the Fed Regs and then read them the MA Laws and told them to use very good judgment!

LenS I am little confused when I read that post. Don't the feds supersede the state? Or am I just too dumb to see you point, lol.

Posted by: LenS

IANAL, so this is not legal advice.

Since the power plants are NOT Federal property, MA State Law is king.

The Feds regulate damn near everything, but that doesn't mean that Fed law would supersede MA law. OSHA is into every business, but you still have to abide by MA laws as well.

Thus, shooting someone simply for trespassing is a big no-no in MA, and the state will prosecute the shooter, even if NRC licenses the facility.

I hope this is a bit clearer.

Posted by: Macop

It does, thanx. Seems to me the feds shoud make laws to supercede the state laws if they want these people to do the job they are telling thmen to.

Posted by: LenS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macop";p=&quot

It does, thanx. Seems to me the feds shoud make laws to supercede the state laws if they want these people to do the job they are telling thmen to.

Like maybe starting with the 2nd Amendment?

Posted by: TripleSeven

Anyone know if there is any MA case law or a MGL regarding hospital security using cuffs? I have a meeting today and there will be a lot of talk about issuing cuffs due to the problems we've been having. There is also talk about getting some of us state specials, but i don't think that will be for a while, and i will be long gone by then. 266 30A only talks about retail shoplifting. I'm wondering if these laws are exempt since we are on private property, provided we are trained and have a written policy...

Posted by: Irishpride

As far as specific case law regarding cuffs in hospitals I really can't think of any off the top of my head but I can tell you what I was told about cuffs when I worked security at a hospital. Handcuffs may be used as an emergency temporary method of mechanical restraints provided that the patient is placed in the regular (leather/Velcro) restraints as soon as safe and practical. This would not apply on any psychiatric floor because of DMH regulations regarding the use of cuffs as a method of restraints.

Posted by: RPD931

EMcNiece,

Officers do not have to be SSPO's to carry cuffs. At MGH, we use them in the manner as described by Irishpride. With over 100 Officers (Dept. wide) - each Officer is issued a pair of cuffs, after completing handcuff training.

Working in Law Enforcement before and During my time at MGH, there is a difference (between Police and Hospital Security) in the reason we use them, for obvious reasons, but they are a neccessity at least here in Boston as we deal with alot of intoxicated persons, Mental health patients and any other nutbag that walks through the doors of our fine institution. Protecting staff, patients and visitors are the primary reason we use them. And we use them often.

As long as you use them as prescribed in your policy and training, and for the appropriate reasons you'll be ok. Everyone should be trained in the same manner and technique and on one particular type of cuff (hinged v. linked). Officer's should only use the type of cuffs they were trained with. I recommend hinged in the Hospital setting.

Posted by: fish4all

I work in a major teaching hospital in a no so nice area of Boston. We have specials and non specials. Both carry either peerless hinged or smith and wesson non-hinged. Once certified, non specials can cuff for safety reasons as long as they can articulate as to why and must document the event. I believe Comm v. Pandolfino touches on this topic stating that by simply applying handcuffs one is not necessarily under arrest. In fact we handcuff quite often with our lovely section 12 patients BPD dumps on us (Don't blame them we don't want them either).

Posted by: TripleSeven

Well my director insists that its illegal for us to use cuffs, even with training and a written policy. I disagreed, but I wasn't about to start an argument at the meeting. He did say, that he is looking into having us become deputy sheriffs so we would have authority and be able to use cuffs. I think he is misinformed... I will be out of there within a few months anyways. If i were to stay, I would most likley look into BMC or Mass General. Quincy has a very large population of psych, alcohol, and sub abusers as well.

Posted by: RPD931

Your Director must be clueless. Tell him to "ask around" with other major/busy hospitals.

Posted by: TripleSeven

He says he gets his info from a LT from Quincy Police. But like I said, I won't be there much longer so I won't argue with him. If he doesn't want to issue cuffs than i'll just continue to employ other methods of restraint...

I have used two poly cuffs with a belt looped thru to cuff people behind their back before but this is nearly impossible with a large person who is fighting for the championship.

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