Restraints

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Definitions

Director: The Director of Police Services referred to in section 39 (1) of the Police Act.

Officer: A constable appointed under the Police Act or an enforcement officer appointed under section 14.15 of the Police Act.

Restraint: Any mechanical device or system that when used in its ordinary and intended manner restricts the normal physical activity or range of motion of an individual in part or in whole.

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Standards

Approved Restraints

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(1) Must ensure that the only Restraints carried or used by Officers of their police service have been approved by the Director. See Appendix “A” for a list of approved Restraints, their descriptions, and approved specifications.

Maintenance of Restraints

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(2) Must ensure that each Restraint in the inventory of their police service is maintained in good working order.

(3) Must ensure that each Restraint is securely stored when not in use.

Training, qualification, and requalification

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(4) Must ensure an Officer successfully completes a training course and is qualified to use a Restraint before the Officer may be authorized to carry and use that Restraint under Standard (1) above. The training must include the following safety components:

(a) Handcuffs, Leg Restraints, and Whole-Body Restraint Devices:

(i) The Officer must check each applied Restraint device for a safe level of tightness, in that circulation will not be dangerously restricted; and
(ii) The double lock mechanism must be immediately engaged in all applications; or
(iii) When the Officer reasonably perceives that violent subject behaviour makes engaging the double lock mechanism too difficult at that time, the Officer shall engage the mechanism as soon as is practicable after the violent behaviour subsides or the Officer(s) have established sufficient control of the subject.

(b) Disposable Restraint Device:

(i) The Officer must check each applied Restraint device for a safe level of tightness, in that circulation will not be dangerously restricted; and
(ii) At least one Officer present with a subject(s) wearing a Disposable Restraint Device must have a tool suitable for cutting and removing the device in their possession.

(c) Leg Restraints:

(i) Can be used in conjunction with handcuffs and full body Restraints, but the two devices cannot be joined by any means to complete a maximal Restraint or “hog tie”.

(d) Spit Hood/Mask:

(i) Must not be used on any person who is unconscious, vomiting or noticeably bleeding from the mouth or nose causing a risk of respiratory distress or asphyxiation, or in obvious need of medical attention;
(ii) Shall be immediately removed from a subject who loses consciousness or develops any difficulties mentioned in Standard 4(d)(i) above; and
(iii) Anyone wearing a Spit Hood shall be kept under the constant supervision of trained personnel and their observations of the subject wearing the Spit Hood must be recorded in writing in five-minute intervals.

(5) Must ensure any Officer authorized to carry and use a Restraint under Standard (4) above is requalified to use that Restraint at least once every three years and that training contains the safety considerations in Standards 4(a) through (4)(d) above.

(6) Must ensure that written records are maintained of the Restraints training and requalification courses completed by each Officer in the police service.

Off duty carrying of Restraints

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(7) Must ensure that Officers carry their issued Restraints only when on assigned duty, unless otherwise authorized in writing or described in policy.

Policies and procedures

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner must ensure that:

(8) Policies and procedures are consistent with these BC Provincial Policing Standards.

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Appendix

• Appendix “A” for BCPPS 1.2.3 – Restraints