Hiatts Speedcuffs

Speedcuffs are a model of handcuff made by the UK based Hiatt & Company. They are characterised by their rigid design, the two cuffs being joined by a rigid metal bar and a black plastic grip of which has advanced from the chain linking both. Their rigidity and the design of the grip makes them effective for gaining control over a struggling prisoner even if only one cuff has been applied. Speedcuffs are the standard issue handcuff for all Police forces within the United Kingdom. [ [http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/hiatmod21bla.html Handcuffwarehouse] retrieved on May 6 2007] [ [http://www.thehandcuffshop.com/index.cfm?shop_action=view_product&category=295&product=169 TheHandcuffShop: Hiatt, Model No 2103 ] retrieved on May 6 2007]

Construction

Speedcuffs consist of two conventional ratchet handcuffs connected by a rigid metal bar, which is enclosed in a plastic grip secured with bolts. Removal of the grip offers no advantage to a prisoner seeking to escape, as it is present only to facilitate the comfortable manipulation of the handcuffs by the arresting officer.

Weighing 390g/13.75 oz and with a maximum dilation of 23.2cm/9.13 in, [ [http://www.hiatts.com/speedcuffuk.pdf Hiatts Speedcuff Rapid Control System] retrieved on May 6 2007] the handcuffs themselves are slightly larger than the standard sized chain and hinged handcuffs also manufactured by Hiatts, and accommodate a greater range of wrist sizes. They feature Hiatt's 'back loading' feature, which allows the ratchet to be pulled backwards for a few clicks through the lock case to set the cuffs in the ideal position for quick application. The locks accept a standard handcuff key, and have a double lock activated through a small pin on the back of the cuff which must be depressed with a pointed object, such as the protrusion found on the top of the provided standard handcuff keys and Hiatts deluxe version, with the aim of preventing tightening of the cuffs by the detainee. [ [http://www.hiatts.com/speedcuffuk.pdf Hiatts Speedcuff Rapid Control System] retrieved on May 6 2007]

Application

The mechanism of Speedcuff application is the same as other modern swing through handcuffs. By pressing the single arm of the cuff against the wrist, the arm can be made to swing around the wrist and engage with the lock on the other side. The officer may then tighten the cuff to an appropriate position before applying the other cuff and engaging the double locks to prevent the cuffs tightening any further.

Owing to their rigid design, Speedcuffs can be applied in one of four positions (these positions also apply to hinged handcuffs). In British police training, these positions are termed 'front stack', 'palm to palm', 'rear stack' and 'back to back'. Many forces teach only two positions to their officers, but some teach all four. The 'stacked' positions are those where, once applied (assuming a standing prisoner), the handcuffs are vertical and the wrists pass through the cuffs in opposite directions, resulting in one hand on each side of the handcuffs.

'Palm to palm' is where the handcuffs are applied in front of the body, with the palms of the hands facing each other. This is generally considered to be inferior in terms of security to a front stack, in which position it is extremely difficult for a prisoner to attempt to strike any person with their hands. 'Back to back' is where the handcuffs are applied to the rear of the body, with the backs of the hands facing each other. Rear palm to palm and front back to back are possible, but seldom used as back to back is more secure to the rear, and palm to palm is more comfortable to the front.

In a confrontational situation, although the ultimate intention may be to apply the handcuffs to the rear in the back-to-back position, officers are often forced to settle for the first position in which they can get both of the suspect's wrists. ["Gwent Police: Personal and Operational Safety Policy (including Appointments, Handcuffs, Incapacitants)" from [http://www.gwent.police.uk/documents/f_o_i/policies/122-3%20a%20issue%203%20personal%20and%20operational%20safety%20policy.pdf here] on May 6 2007]

Risks

As with any metal handcuff, Speedcuffs may cause nerve and other tissue damage to the wrists if applied incorrectly or if the person being handcuffed struggles unduly. For this reason it is preferred to only apply them to compliant or subdued prisoners; however, this is not always possible. A particularly enhanced risk with rigid handcuffs is most evident when one cuff has been applied. As it may be used to gain control over a prisoner through pain by moving the handcuff against the wrist, care must be taken to avoid a sudden hard shock which could break the bones in the wrist or lower arm.

There is also the potential for a violent suspect or prisoner to free an arm with a partially attached cuff and use it as a blunt weapon against the officers; this is a dangerous and potentially lethal situation that can occur with speedcuffs, other forms of rigid handcuffs such as quickcuffs, and regular chain cuffs.

References