Smith & Wesson Leads
the Way With Complete Product Line and Training
By Ralph Mroz
The use of force option
that we use more (much, much more) than any other is
handcuffing; we are handcuffing and un-cuffing people
all the time. Consequently, use of force trainers remind
us that proper technique and precautions when cuffing
and UN-cuffing prisoners is one of our most important
officer safety considerations. Notwithstanding those
times we're happy just to get the cuffs on at all,
that's good advice.
But what of the cuffs
themselves? Do they make a difference? Are there really
differences between all of the various cuffs and cuff
types available?
Well…of course! After
our radios and coffee mugs, our cuffs are probably our
most used piece of professional equipment. The design
and manufacture of anything that's used that often, and
performs as vital a function as handcuffs do, is
something to which we should pay attention.
Whether you prefer
hinged or chained handcuffs (and many street-savvy
officers carry one pair of each), the first thing to pay
attention to is whether your cuffs meet NIJ Standard
0307.01. This standard specifies that each handcuff
shall be able to withstand a tensile force of 495 lbf
without failure. The tested handcuff shall not open
under load, shall not show any sign of permanent
distortion or fracture and shall function in a normal
manner following the test. The standard also specifies
that each handcuff shall withstand 204 lbf/in for cheek
plate separation. A majority of cheap handcuffs on the
market don't meet this standard. Is this important?
Well, consider how strong the last really big guy you
arrested was, or consider the superhuman strength of a
PCP user. Any cop who's worked the streets for a while
knows of a local incident in which someone did, in fact,
break their cuffs. So, yes, it's important-and why
gamble?
Next consider how your
cuffs double-lock. Double locking cuffs once they are on
a suspect is a vital thing to do…and one that's too
often forgotten. Double-locking provides safety for the
suspect in that the cuffs don't tighten and restrict
circulation or lacerate him. More important, they
provide safety for the officer in several ways:
-
An unlocked set of
cuffs are an invitation to a lawsuit for nerve
damage or other more visible injuries
-
An unlocked set of
cuffs can be shimmed open-and too many of the really
bad guys know how to do this
-
Double-locked cuffs
are more difficult to pick with a bent paper clip or
similar object
-
You won't be
tempted to un-cuff your prisoner to adjust a "too
tight" pair of cuffs and thus expose yourself to an
assault.
There are two common
methods for double-locking handcuffs. Some cuffs use a
push pin mechanism, while Smith & Wesson cuffs have
traditionally incorporated a slot-activated mechanism.
Some officers prefer one method, while other officers
prefer the other. It doesn't matter which mechanism you
prefer or are comfortable with, so long as you remember
to double-lock every time!
S&W has just announced
four new models (and six variations) of pushpin
activated double-locking handcuffs. Their chained Model
100 cuffs and hinged Model 300 are now available with
either a pushpin or slot-activated double locking
mechanism. The new pushpin feature is available on both
finish variations (blue or nickel) for the Model 100
(chained) and the Model 300 (hinged) handcuffs, as well
as for the Model 103 (stainless steel) and Model 104
(high security) handcuffs (which incorporate a
nonstandard key.) Smith and Wesson's groundbreaking
Model 1 handcuffs-which accommodate both smaller and
larger wrists than normal cuffs, and more ergonomically
conform to a human wrist-already incorporate a pushpin
lock. So now, whether you prefer chained or hinged
cuffs, and whether you prefer a pin or a slot
double-lock, it's available with S&W quality.
Another consideration
for handcuffs is how comfortable they are to use for the
officer. Smith & Wesson handcuffs are contoured in such
a way that holding them in the "loaded" position and
applying them is noticeably more comfortable than
handcuffs with a more square profile. A little thing,
perhaps, but one that affects technique.
Smith & Wesson-through
the Smith & Wesson Academy-is also the only manufacturer
that offers accredited/recognized handcuff training. The
Academy is a world-renowned institution, and their
instruction is topnotch. Finally, Smith & Wesson can
customize handcuffs to an agency's specifications,
including customizing such things as chain length (a
particularly attractive customization in a correctional
setting) or mixing different types of cuffs.
So, no matter what your
preferences or job requirements, Smith & Wesson has
top-quality handcuffs for your application.
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