NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

The use of leg restraints/shackles is permissible when transporting an individual when any
of the following apply:
The prisoner presents an escape risk.
The potential exists for aggressive behavior and/or a risk of assault by a prisoner.
The charges against a prisoner are of a serious nature.
The prisoner is being transported to or from Mayor’s Court.
No person shall be handcuffed to any part of a motor vehicle during transport.
When transporting more than one individual, each prisoner shall be restrained with handcuffs
behind his/her own back. A prisoner should not be handcuffed with his/her arms intertwined with
another individual except under certain high-risk circumstances and with supervisory approval.
It is permissible for an officer to transport prisoners of the opposite sex within the same police
vehicle. When doing so, the procedures outlined in this section will be followed.
During a long/extended transportation of a prisoner, the officer(s) may handcuff the individual with
his/her hands in front. In such cases, the handcuffs should be passed through the prisoner’s belt,
if possible, to limit his/her movement.
The use of restraint devices in the below-listed special circumstances shall be as follows:
A. Injured or ill prisoners will be handcuffed when being transported. Exceptions can be
made when the use of handcuffs would compound the illness/injury. In such cases, an
officer will notify his/her on duty supervisor who may assign a second officer to assist with
the transportation of the individual.
B. When transporting disabled prisoners, the degree of physical restraint will be applied
within reason at the discretion of the transporting officer. It should not be assumed that
restraining devices are not required for disabled individuals. Two officers should be
assigned when transporting a disabled prisoner who requires additional assistance.
Consideration should be given to having another jurisdiction’s transport van assist in
these situations.
C. Two officers shall be assigned when transporting a mentally disturbed prisoner who has
exhibited a potential for erratic, violent, or unpredictable behavior. The officers should
also highly consider the use of leg shackles.
3.2.4 Procedures for Transporting by Vehicle
A transporting officer shall place the handcuffed prisoner in the back seat of the passenger
side of the police vehicle and should securely fasten the individual with a seatbelt.
Unmarked vehicles will not be used to transport prisoners unless approved by a supervisor.
Special circumstances may dictate times that unmarked vehicles are used. In situations where
unmarked vehicles are used, two officers will be present during the transport. Temporary
restraining devices (handcuffs, flexcuffs, etc.) and seat belts will be used to secure the prisoner in
the right rear passenger seat. The second officer should ride in the rear passenger compartment
with the secured prisoner.
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