how well do your handcuffs really work

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  • 7/28/2019 How Well Do Your Handcuffs Really Work

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    Specialized Training & Tactics

    with Dave Young

    | Print this Article | EMail this Article to a friend | Discuss this Article |

    How Well Do Your Handcuffs Really Work?

    View a full list of Dave's Classes

    Introducing the GOTCHA Restraint

    Phase 1: Introduction

    When a law enforcement or correctional officer places a pair of handcuffs on asubject, they normally assume that the subject is controlled or at least secured.We have a certain level of expectation that the subject who is in the handcuffswill not be able to escape. Yet time and time again we hear of the tragedy of asubject who has picked their handcuffs and killed the officers who weretransporting them. What exactly are handcuffs supposed to do? Whatassumptions do we have of them?

    Back in 1862 an inventor named W. A. Adams patented a handcuff design thatused adjustable swing arms. The idea was to design a type of restraint whereyou can close them to automatically lock, and use a small key to unlock whenneeded. The locking system used was called the "Pawl & Ratchet." This purposeof this handcuff was used to restraint a subject who was detained, or underarrest, or a subject who was being combative or trying to cause harm tothemselves or others. Does this sound familiar?

    I think we use the handcuffs of today for the same basic reasons. In addition,there has not been an effective design change in handcuffs since. There havebeen a few attempts to change the shape of the key but the internal lockingdevice has remained the same for over 100 years.

    In 1865 an entrepreneur named John Tower picked up the design and startedone of the most successful American handcuff companies in the world called,"Tower Handcuffs." These cuffs were used up until the World War II, based onthe original Adams patent. Some other names of handcuff companies are:

    American Handcuff Company

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    Crocket & Kelly GOTCHA Hyatt HWC Peerless

    Rapid-Cuff Smith & Wesson

    Over the last century, the handcuff took on many different shapes, sizes and wasconstructed from various types of materials from forged steel, precious metals,aluminum, to stainless steel. Yet the purposes of using handcuffs have remainedvery much the same.

    Everything in our industry has gone through various stages of evolution. Ouruniforms have changed, from design, colors, and even fabric; our policeweaponry has gone through a series of evolution- where once we could only

    shoot a projectile that would kill, now these specialty impact munitions we firefrom a firearm save lives!

    The flashlights we use, to batons we carry, even our communication systemshave changed from dixie cups and dental floss, to rotary dial and tone phones, todigital, analog, to satellite cellular systems. But one of the most frequently usedand dependable pieces of police equipment, THE HANDCUFF, hasn't.

    The 21st century has brought in a new phase of police restraints. As the lawenforcement industry responds to public outcry for more protection, there isrenewed growth in all types of restraints that promote contro l, without injuring.

    From single-chained swivel handcuffs, to hinge handcuffs, to modification of theRapid Cuff of existing handcuffs, all of these handcuffs have one thing incommon: they use the same pawl and ratchet locking mechanism. The doublelocks are either push in pins or coil springs, located at the base of the handcuffsto stop the restraints from getting any tighter, and supposedly making themharder to escape from. I have recently found a new handcuff that I believe willusher in a new era in police safety restraints.

    They are called,"GOTCHA!" The name is catchy because once you have themon and double locked they have GOT YOU! At this time, the GOTCHA handcuffsare unable to be picked with unconventional tools most commonly used by

    subjects. The unique length of the key and shape of the key's wedge limit theareas a key could be hidden or concealed in or on the human body.

    We finally have a new handcuff with an internal locking mechanism I call the"Cam Locking Systems." This mechanism seems to work extremely well. NeitherI, nor my students, have been able to pick, jimmy or jar the handcuffs open. Aftermore than four years of research and working with the law enforcementcommunity, the GOTCHA line of handcuffs and restraints are proving to be the

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    safest handcuffs on the market today.

    Phase 2: Problems

    Handcuffs are supposed to be a one time buy, wouldn't you think? This means

    that once you purchase a pair of handcuffs, and use them under normaloperational conditions, they should last you a 20-year career. However, we havefound that there are a few things that limit the handcuffs of today fromaccomplishing that.

    1. Rust - Most handcuffs will be carried on the duty belt in a leather or nylon

    case, locked in a locker, placed in an open handcuff box, or even thrown in the

    bottom of a duty bag. The types of materials used will more than likely beinexpensive metal alloys of some kind. This means that they are very easilyaffected by various climates of heat, humidity, moisture, and condensation. Thiscan also happen during cleaning the handcuffs from other bio-hazardous

    substances that get on the handcuffs during use. Water has always been thehandcuff's worse nightmare. All of these climates cause rust and will start totarnish the handcuffs, therefore breaking down the metals used weakening thehandcuffs themselves including the spring which in turn causes the pawl not toengage the ratchet teeth.

    a. GOTCHA handcuffs are made of Stainless Steel including the springsand rivets. In my experience when GOTCHA handcuffs while teaching our"Water Safety Survival Instructor," program which mainly focuses in andaround water, the GOTCHA handcuffs have not rusted" You are inchlorinated, fresh, and salt water. You may experience light surface rust

    but that is acceptable and can easily be wiped and cleaned away.

    b. Having all the components made of stainless steel makes the handcuffsmore durable and not hindered by the climate of other handcuffs, thereforeincreasing the shelf life of the restraints- making it a one-time buy! So withthe above mentioned results, I have chosen to use Gotcha handcuffs inmy water courses because of their durability. Before I switched toGOTHCA's, I was going through 3-5 pairs of handcuffs in classes.

    i. Question: How many pairs of handcuffs do you lose from rust in 20 yearcareer?

    2. Breakage - Most handcuffs after time will lose their strength due to the type of

    metal construction they are made of. In addition to the above climates, you have

    the handcuffs being placed on subjects of all sizes and shapes. This puts a bigwear and tear on the handcuffs. Most handcuffs usually break at the singlestrand, or at the swing arm, especially from the subjects who always try tomuscle out of the handcuffs by bending, pulling and striking hard objects with

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    them.

    a. At times pure human strength has been used to pull apart the handcuffsat the swivel chain, breaking the links, or by continuous pressure beingapplied, or twisting motion, resulting in the breaking of the handcuffs off at

    the double cheek plate.

    b. The stainless steel components, including the rivets, provide GOTCHAhandcuffs with the strength they need as well as increased durability. I amtold that Gotcha handcuffs far exceed the NIJ Standard 0307.01 formetallic handcuffs. Remember you are not building a house, and you canbreak ANYTHING, however we are talking about restraints that are placedon a subject we have under arrest and in our custody and they should notbe able to pulled apart or bend them by shear human strength. Wouldn'tyou agree?

    3. Locking Mechanism - Unfortunately with the "Pawl and Ratchet," mechanismused in other handcuffs, is easily defeated by many ways. I am sure you know of

    a story of a subject who was able to pick the handcuffs they were secured in.Shouldn't we have a certain expectation that once we secure the subject in thehandcuffs, they will not be able to pick them, so easily? Let's separate this inthree different categories.

    i. (Jimmy/Jarring) - This term is used when the method of unlocking thehandcuffs is by means other then using the key holes.

    1. Using a small thin piece of materials being slid passed and underneath

    the teeth of the single strand, you can disengage the pawl, and the singlestrand will unlock, allowing the subject to escape freely.

    2. Using a comb and pressing down the pawl, you can disengage the pawlfrom the ratchet, and the single strand will unlock, allowing the subject toescape freely.

    ii. Picking- this term is used when the method of unlocking the handcuffs is bymeans of using the key hole without using the proper handcuff key.

    1. Using a paperclip or thin piece of metal with a small bent tip in theshape of an "L". Once inside the key hole the subject moves the object in

    a circular motion to disengage the pawl and ratchet mechanism unlockingthe single strand, allowing the subject to escape freely. 2. Using a hardsharp instrument and driving it into the key hole, vigorously moving it incircular motion until you hear the pawl and ratchet break, again unlockingthe single strand, allowing the subject to escape freely.

    iii. Double Lock- This is either a push pin or spring coil system, used to ensurethe handcuff stays in the original locked position, and does not tighten duringtransportation.

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    1. Push pins - This is done by striking a hard surface in the direction of thepins using gravity to pull the pins to the front. This bypasses the pressureneeded to unlock the double lock.

    2. Spring Coil - This is done by using the same method as above or

    placing a small hard thin object inside the double lock space, and applyingpressure to the opposite side, unlocking the double lock.

    a. The picking, jimmying, jarring or bypassing the double lock mechanismmentioned above do not work with the GOTCHA handcuffs. The gearedmechanism prevents them from being jimmied. At worse, the shim willbecome meshed between the gear and swing arm teeth and prevent anyfurther rotation of the swing arm, and the handcuff will have to be cut offthe subject. There is nothing to pick as in a conventional handcuffs. Theyhave even designed the handcuff to prevent the use of a ballpoint penbarrel to make a key. The key activates the double lock and striking the

    handcuff against a wall or desk cannot defeat it. The only way to open anddouble lock the GOTCHA is by using the universal handcuff key for allGOTCHA handcuffs.

    b. Please note that the GOTCHA handcuff key is not the typical andcommon handcuff key millions of people already have. Outside of usingconventional methods and machinery tools, i.e., using a hacksaw, theescape methods of the old do not work with this handcuff.

    4. Wrist Sizes - It has been proven time and time again that handcuffs are not aone size fits all type of restraints. I believe there are a moderate percent and

    maybe more of the general population that standard size handcuffs do not fit.They are either too small or in some cases too big. Has this ever happened toyou?

    a. Some handcuffs have too much of a circular shape to the design, or aretoo oval, not allowing for the handcuffs to fit securely to the subjects wrist,and in some cases not fit at all.

    b. This places unneeded pressure at the wrist, which may possibly injurethe wrist bone, or creating neural damage.

    i. GOTCHA handcuffs are ergonomically designed to fit the natural shape anddimension of the wrist, limiting the possibly of injury internally, and on the singlestrand and cheek plates they are tapered, limiting injury externally. GOTCHAalso has a tapered grip design to accommodate smaller to larger hands ofofficers.

    5. Key Hole Position - This category is definitely an officer safety issue. Thelatest tragedy was in March of 2005, in Atlanta when an officer was overpowered

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    while removing the handcuffs from a subject. After the first handcuff wasremoved, the subject turned and quickly punched the officer, brutally beating her,and escaped the courthouse with her duty belt, and gaining access to herfirearm. This resulted in others being killed and his escape.

    a. During training in the past and in some current locations, focusing onthe location of the keyholes was a means of saving time for the removal ofthe handcuffs at the department. The small key design caused most of usto go out and buy a bigger longer key. Have you ever bought a biggerhandcuff key?

    i. GOTCHA handcuffs are the only handcuffs in the world to key from both sides.They identified this topic being an officer safety issue, and due to the superiordesign of the cam locking system, this safety feature is possible. ii. In my trainingclasses having the key holes on both sides, and bigger key has made the needfor training handcuffs with a built in key obsolete!

    My two complaints about the Gotcha handcuffs is that they will not fit a standardhandcuff holster, and the price. When I mentioned this to Taper InternationalCEO, he thanked me for my comment and said that all GOTCHA handcuffs willcome with a standard nylon holster at no cost. Later I have found that most hingehandcuff cases fit the GOTCHA handcuffs. However if you are anything like methen you understand the motto," If it's free it is me!'

    While we are on the subject of price, let me state that even at the list price of isover $100.00 these handcuffs are a bargain. When you consider that in yourcareer you will most likely go through 3 to 5 sets of handcuffs at $30.00 a set.You do the math. These cuffs are a one time buy. Then he continued to add, if

    the officer does not wish to have the lifetime warrantee we offer, then thehandcuffs will be sold for approximately $89.00. What is the added price youwould add for fact that GOTCHA cannot be picked, jarred or jimmied? That is ahard one to answer because I feel that officer safety is priceless!

    Over the years, I have evaluated a majority of handcuffs available in the US. Thebelow categories shows the areas you should evaluate all handcuffs from. Likewith all products I have written about, the ONLY way to understand the pointsabove or to even get a professional opinion based on fact is to get a pair ofGOTCHA's and used them yourself.

    Phase 3 - Evaluating your handcuffs

    Proper evaluation has always been a major problem. Here are a few categoriesto closely look at prior to purchasing your handcuffs. Take your current handcuffsthrough this evaluation process and compare it to others.

    1. Solid Structurea. Type of materials used for the construction of the handcuffs

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    2. Internal Locking Mechanism useda. Pawl & Racketb. Cam Locking Mechanism

    3. Ease of Cyclinga. Ease of cycling the single strand

    4. Durability/Tensile Strengtha. Strength of the handcuff themselvesb. Overall durability of the material used

    5. Cheek Plate Strengtha. Strength of the cheek plates, ease of separating or bending whilebeing on

    6. Accommodating Sizinga. Various subject applications for sizingb. Compare your current ones to

    7. Double Lock Strengtha. Ease of bypassing the double lock

    8. Control Factora. Prior to applying the handcuffs, measuring the control in officer'shands and of physical control of the subject after being secured.

    9. Clean/Disinfectanta. Can you clean them and have them still perform at the samelevel of expectation prior to cleaning them

    10. Climate Effecteda. How easily does climate effect your handcuffs

    So there you have it, the first effective design changes for handcuffs in over acentury, and it is called GOTCHA! For me, GOTCHA is my handcuff of choice; atthis time, it is far better than anything on the market that I have seen to dated. I

    have been told of Taper's R&D efforts, which if validated, will obsolete even thishandcuff. But enough of the future stuff, for now all you have to do it get a pairand evaluate them yourself. For more information you can visit the GOTCHA website at www.betterhandcuffs.com .