In an arrest, should you use additional restraints as needed?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Maybe
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

In an arrest, safety and control drive the decision to use restraints. You constantly assess the situation for risk—could the arrestee escape, become violently resistant, or access a weapon? When that risk is present, applying additional restraints helps prevent harm to you and others and makes custody and transport safer. This approach aligns with training and department policy, which emphasize using the level of restraint that is appropriate to the current danger and reassessing as the situation evolves. So, using additional restraints as needed is the best guidance. Not applying them when risk exists would increase danger, while over-restraining beyond what the risk requires isn’t appropriate.