View Full Version : Cuff Recommendation
biggesto
01-05-2005, 10:42
If you had your preference, what brand of cuffs would you go with? I have to carry chain, not hinged, but do you like Peerless, Hiatt, Smith, or another brand. Thanks for the ideas.
I never had any problems with the Smiths I carried Biggesto. I did have a pair of Peerless and one of the cuffs was tighter in that it wouldn't click and pass through the housing without some effort - this complicates things if you are controlling the other hand/wrist of a suspect and want to get the first cuff on quickly (which was often enough that I ended up letting them ride around in my gear bag and bought more Smiths). :)
I prefer Smiths, Hiatts are good too. Had a set of Peerless issued to me at one agency, but ended up carrying my own S&W cuffs because I was not impressed by the quality of the Peerless cuffs.
Related note, has anyone actually seen a set of the ASP cuffs that are on sale in the latest Galls? Supposed to be lighter weight and stronger than regular steel cuffs, easier doublelocking mechanism, and cuff holes on both sides of the cuff to make them easier to release. Write-up in Galls sounds good, but I am still hesitant to carry polymer cuffs.
Eaglearm
01-05-2005, 12:05
Hinged in a pouch behind my pistol holster and chain link pinched between my inner pants and ammo pouch (works great). Yet, if you a like PEACE you probably have some rope handy to hog tie somebody. :)
However, WOOODSHED 5 would have a problem when that complaint comes across his desk. :) :)
Yet, if you a like PEACE you probably have some rope handy to hog tie somebody. :)
Duct tape ... :)
Hinged in a pouch behind my pistol holster and chain link pinched between my inner pants and ammo pouch (works great).
Which reminds me, my preference when I worked patrol was a pair of Hiatt's Ultimate Cuffs, which are basically hinged cuffs that lock open when you unfold them. Great cuffs for gaining control of a subject. Still keep them in my vehicle and for warrants, but they are a little too bulky for plainclothes.
Related note, has anyone actually seen a set of the ASP cuffs that are on sale in the latest Galls? Supposed to be lighter weight and stronger than regular steel cuffs, easier doublelocking mechanism, and cuff holes on both sides of the cuff to make them easier to release. Write-up in Galls sounds good, but I am still hesitant to carry polymer cuffs.
I have a pair of these that came in the mail a few weeks back. I haven't used them in the field yet because they don't fit into any of the cuff cases that I have. However, once I get an oversized cuff case, I'll probably start carrying them. They do seem quite nifty...I love the key holes on both sides of the cuff myself. Also, one turn undoes both the lock and double-lock mechanism.
Eaglearm
01-05-2005, 14:50
In order for you Federal Folks to use cuffs, you have to detain or arrest someone first.
Relax just having fun on a snow day in the Midwest.
In order for you Federal Folks to use cuffs, you have to detain or arrest someone first.
Relax just having fun on a snow day in the Midwest.
Nahhh, I just call them or send them a letter telling them to come turn themselves in....
For Less-lethal, I just stun them with my good taste... :D
If you had your preference, what brand of cuffs would you go with? I have to carry chain, not hinged, but do you like Peerless, Hiatt, Smith, or another brand. Thanks for the ideas.
When I was with the USMS, I hooked up a ton of people... We used the big three you mentioned: Hiatt, Peerless, S&W. All three worked well if they were kept lubricated. A drop of gun oil in the hinge was like magic to an old pair of cuffs.
Personally, I liked the S&W's, because no matter what tussle you had getting them on, you didn't have to look for the double lock (it's visible on both sides) after things calmed down. But that's just personal preference.
Realize that cuffs are just TEMPORARY restraints. Don't let a prisoner out of your sight just cause they are cuffed. I have seen about every type of cuff, shimmed, picked, or just pried apart! I got to be pretty good at shimming them myself.
When I was with the USMS, I hooked up a ton of people...
:D Thats an understatement! I wonder how many bandits a DUSM in a large district hooks up in a year? My favorite was when we ran out of restraints at the jail. The DEOs cuffed a guy with a waist chain and the left cuff then put the right cuff on another bandit. Doing the same with leg irons was also a good one :o
Like ATFpoa said, we used them all in the USMS. IMO, Hiatts were the cheapest, with Smiths and Peerless both very good. Like a firearm, they need to be cleaned and maintained. I usually do this when after cleaning my duty weapon.
k9cop21811
01-05-2005, 15:42
In order for you Federal Folks to use cuffs, you have to detain or arrest someone first
Ah, yes. A helping of sarcasm sprinkled with a touch of hostility. Nothing warms ya better on a cold day (said with a slight Irish accent).:wink:
We also had some funky "high security" cuffs...I think they were Australian or something. It used what looked like a housekey, and had a large lock built into the body of the cuff. Very solid, and near impossible to pick.
And Eagle, the first wreck you handle tonight in that snow...think of me...I will be having a warm adult beverage while watching three stooges re-runs. :D :D :D
Take care, and be safe!
In order for you Federal Folks to use cuffs, you have to detain or arrest someone first.
Relax just having fun on a snow day in the Midwest.
DOn't forget practicing on eachother! :D
Anyway, on topic, I used to sell police supplies up until a while ago; sold more S&W than any of the others combined. That was until the whole S&W gun control thing in the late 90's, then it started to shift to Hiatts.
Jim
Eaglearm
01-05-2005, 21:20
We also had some funky "high security" cuffs...I think they were Australian or something. It used what looked like a housekey, and had a large lock built into the body of the cuff. Very solid, and near impossible to pick.
And Eagle, the first wreck you handle tonight in that snow...think of me...I will be having a warm adult beverage while watching three stooges re-runs. :D :D :D Take care, and be safe!
Tell them to exchange information, make a report later. If its to cold to process a drunk, lock the keys in the car and tell them to beat feet (providing they can walk). They will be sobber by the time they reach home. 50.00 $$$ tomarrow for a Lock Smith or 3,000 for lawyer and jail fees.
If a Disturbance comes out, some one is going to jail after I get my cruiser unstuck from the snow. :)
Tell them to exchange information, make a report later. If its to cold to process a drunk, lock the keys in the car and tell them to beat feet (providing they can walk). They will be sobber by the time they reach home. 50.00 $$$ tomarrow for a Lock Smith or 3,000 for lawyer and jail fees.
If a Disturbance comes out, some one is going to jail after I get my cruiser unstuck from the snow. :)
You are cracking me up...You also reminded me of a buddy of mine doing the "keys in the trunk" thing with a drunk when I was on the P.D. I had backed him up when he stopped the guy. It went like this:
Ofc: "Now, I know you have been drinking. I am not arresting you, but your car stays here, and you walk home. Now give me your keys."
Drunk: "But Officer, I live two miles from here."
Ofc: "Would you rather be in jail?"
Drunk: "No."
Ofc: "Ok, then I am locking your keys in your trunk. You can get your spare keys from your house tommorow. I don't want you driving tonight."
Drunk: "But, Officer..."
Ofc: "Did you hear me? No driving!"
Drunk: "But, Officer..."
Ofc: "I said no driving!"
Drunk: "But, Officer..."
Ofc: Slams trunk, "WHAT?"
Drunk: "Those were my house keys."
Eaglearm
01-06-2005, 14:22
When ever I do this, I ensure that I search the person for extra keys and only lock the car keys in the car. Besides it is not worth CUFFING and STUFFING a drunk when they will not blow more than .08 anything less, in my county, than .08 is a slap on the wrist.
More Justice is served by them walking home and paying for their mistake another day.
Funny thing is that I've seen other COPs do this and the jack ball walk around the block and drive away. Next, the jack ball goes to jail and car gets towed.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I'd be careful guys/gals - if the drunk stumbles into traffic or freezes in the cold (doesn't even have to be that cold for hypothermia under inibriation) the lawyers will have a field day.
Trust me, this was many years ago, when such practices were tolerated, and they let you chase bad guys, and when an honest mistake would earn you an butt chewing rather than paperwork and days off, and when bosses were more worried about doing the job rather than covering their a@@...
Man do I miss those days...
And man to I sound old!!! :rolleyes:
Eaglearm
01-06-2005, 15:16
Trust me, this was many years ago, when such practices were tolerated, and they let you chase bad guys, and when an honest mistake would earn you an butt chewing rather than paperwork and days off, and when bosses were more worried about doing the job rather than covering their a@@...Man do I miss those days...And man to I sound old!!! :rolleyes:
ATF
You know where I'm from and what part of my town this happens in N & S. Some of that stuff still goes on today. As an FTO, I would never teach that method and I have never let a complete drunk walk home.
Peace
Most .08ers and below are articulate enough to decide their best course of action.
Peace
Most .08ers and below are articulate enough to decide their best course of action.
I know that, and you know that, but ...
Eaglearm
01-06-2005, 18:28
I know that, and you know that, but ...
Peace
Are you a sworn officer or an Agent?
I hear you brother. It's all in the way, if you have to, write a report. Creative writing 101. :) :)
...As an FTO, I would never teach that method...
Actually, when I started with a local P.D. in 1993, one of my FTO's did just that! Actually he told him to sleep it off in his car, and we drove around all night with his keys. 15 minutes before shift change, we pull up and drop the keys on the snoozing drunk's dash.
Of course this FTO was a product of NYPD in the 1970's before he was laid off and came to the Chicago Burbs. Not much on policy...but a great guy!
Peace
Are you a sworn officer or an Agent?
I hear you brother. It's all in the way, if you have to, write a report. Creative writing 101. :) :)
I was a local PO - worked patrol, narcotics and special projects (gangs). Then returned FT to college, grad school, and the rest is a blur ...
Now applying to DEA and DSS.
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