ATTN: COPS and other law enforcment officers!!!?

Question

why do some suspects get their hands cuffed in front of them and others in the back?

are there certain situations for each option or is it just random? keeping in first priority of course the officer's safety.

Answer 1

At my department, it is policy that all suspects are handcuffed to the rear.

A lot of damage can be done by someone with cuffs to the front.

Of course, there are always extenuating circumstances that may lead me to cuff a suspect in the front.  Injury, etc..

Answer 2

In the old days FBI and others cuffed in front because it looked better in photos (I am not kidding they were very publicity hungry).

For officer safety behind the back and secured, like to a belt, is best. Larger people or people with big arms etc, cannot get their arms to the rear so they are sometimes cuffed in front, but the cuffs must be secured by a belt or chain.

When transporting a prisoner for a long time they may be cuffed in front or to the sides with the cuffs secured by a belt or waist chain, This is safer then cuffs in back when you need to take them to a washroom and when they may be seated for a long time.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure that all suspects are handcuffed behind their back for obvious safety reasons. But, I believe that the few times suspects are handcuffed in front of them are due to the officers feeling absolutely no threat from the suspect and plan on releasing them after filing a report.

Answer 4

We cuff in front only when people physically cannot get there hands behind them, injury, weight issues, pain from a pre-existing condition, they are on there back on a gurney etc.  Sometimes 2 sets of cuffs are used to span the distance between the wrists if they can get their arms back but not back enough.  We will switch cuffs to the front temporarily to use the bathroom or in the case of people who are no risk have a soda or a smoke.    

Answer 5

A few years back, a criminal in Florida was in police custody.  They cuffed him with his hands in front of him.  He had a master handcuff key concealed on his person.  He utilized that key to free himself, then ambushed and killed the detective driving the car.  A FL state trooper attempted to pull him over.  The armed criminal killed that trooper, holed up in a convienence store then finally killed himself.  This case is routinely used in police academys across the USA to illustrate the purpose for ALWAYS handcuffing suspects/criminals behind their back.  Even with that...I was watching Americas most wanted 2 weeks ago and they were telling the story of another criminal who managed to slip completely out of his handcuffs Houdini style before he escaped custody..  Till this day, the cops still dont know how he did it.

Answer 6

i cuff from the back to reduce mobility.

Sources: Fake cop just like Eric!