When I was being asked about the equipment a police officer carries, invariably the first item of inquiry is the gun.  It is forbidden to show anyone the weapon so we tell them yes it is a real gun, it is loaded and shoots a 45 caliber lead bullet encased in copper.  

The next question asked was generally about the handcuffs.  Often adults had different interests in the cuffs than little children.  Both were amazed at the heaviness and makeup.  In the old days we simply had cuffs made of steel, coated with nickel or a matt black finish.  The cuffs were connected by chain links.  

When transporting a prisoner, the cuffs are applied behind the back and most jails will not accept a prisoner unless they are cuffed in the rear.  On long transport trips, the prisoner would be outfitted with a leather or chain belly belt with rings for the cuffs to attach to.  The leather belt would be buckled in the back.  A set of ankle cuffs attached by a chain only long enough for the prisoner to take half a step.

Sometime in the 1980’s the supplier of handcuffs came out with a security cuff which instead of a chain attaching the cuffs, a double set of bicycle chains were attached and this limited movement.  

Often a wiry or thin statured prisoner would be able to maneuver the cuffs, stepping through them and then have them in the front.  When this would happen, we would use a rope to hogtie the cuffs to the ankle cuffs to prevent maneuvering.

The handcuffs themselves cost from $25 to $75.  Some have different style keys, some different materials, but all are built to last, with a periodic oiling of the mechanism.  

Prisoners, especially drunk or those who wish to resist would often say, these are too tight or on wrong.  After conducting a gap check to ensure proper fit, the response is usually, “Stop moving around and they won’t hurt as much.”  Some officers, not me of course would also say things like, “They are new, with a little use they will break in.”

So my tip is that if you ever find yourself in the situation to wear police bracelets, the less you move around, the less they will hurt.

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
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