When a police officer takes a suspect into custody, one of the first steps is restraining the suspect. Handcuffs, of course, are the most common way of accomplishing this. Handcuffs are used not only by law enforcement officials, but also by civilians who have caught someone breaking into their home or otherwise trying to harm them. In fact, if you plan to defend your home or personal security when under attack, handcuffs are a key addition to your security arsenal.
You might think that all handcuffs are the same, but there is actually a wide variety. Some styles are better choices than others. First, consider the use of the cuffs. Those used by security guards, police officers, and other members of law enforcement are designed to be extremely difficult to pick open with a hair pin or paperclip. These cuffs are designed to restrain for hours at a time. There are also handcuffs for the civilian market that are designed to be very simple to use with little experience. And of course, there are also those designed for recreational use, which should be easier to get out of than those designed to restrain a criminal threat.
There are two main types of handcuff designs available. The first, chain handcuffs, are the most popular type among consumers and law enforcement personnel. They are connected by a chain approximately two inches in length. Little instruction is needed to use these cuffs, but the chain allows more movement than other styles of handcuffs. There are also hinged handcuffs, which are preferred by most corrections officers as they restrict movement more than chain cuffs. Instead of a chain, these cuffs are connected by a hinge, making them more rigid. The hinge does not allow the hands to move closer together or further apart, unlike the chain style. However, they tend to be harder to use by those who have not been trained.
Police issue handcuffs are the highest quality, and are the best choice for law enforcement or civilian security uses. These cuffs are made of materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum, from top names such as Smith & Wesson, Peerless, and Chicago Handcuff Co., among many others. There are also good quality handcuffs made by less well known names. Less expensive options tend to be nickel plated, which should last you for many years, especially if you re not a police officer intending to use the cuffs daily.
Regardless of the style you choose, always check the tightness. Once the cuffs have been put on, it should be nearly impossible to loosen them. On the other hand, some cuffs do not have a mechanism to stop them from becoming too tight. If the individual moves around after the cuffs are put on, they could tighten around the wrist too much. Cuffs with a safety catch will not become overly tight.
Both law enforcement officers and civilians have used plastic zip ties as an alternative to handcuffs. While these work well in a time of necessity, they are not ideal, as any assailant with a knife will be able to foil this plan.
Author Resource:
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