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Formula for Armlock (Zone 2 skill)

•  When Tactically Safe To Do So:

-  Place the Long Portion between your subjects upper arm and body.

-  Keep the Short Handle in your Strong Hand.

-  Turn the Knob toward the outside of your subject’s body,

-  The Short Handle is positioned above the subject’s wrist (as well as on the forearm).

Formula For Armlocks

Minimum Acceptable Performance Standards

Place the long portion of the PR-24 baton between your opponent’s upper arm and body.

Keep the short handle in your strong hand. Turn the end of the short handle toward the outside of your opponent’s body, keeping it above his/her wrist.

TIP: On contact with the forearm, the short handle should be positioned 3 - 5 inches (7.62 cm – 12.70 cm) above an opponent’s wrist.

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Formula for Armlock:

Support Side Armlock

Palm In Re-Grip Method

Formula for Armlock:

Strong Side Armlock

Palm In Re-Grip

Method for Speed Palm Out Re-Grip Method for 2-Point Control

NOTES

A right-handed officer (shown in shade/blue) who approaches a subject at position #1a would be performing a Strong Side Armlock on that subject. The other “a” labeled positions also represent a Strong Side Armlock. If this same officer were to approach at position #1b he or she would be performing a Support Side Armlock on that subject. The other “b” labeled positions represent where a Support Side Armlock could be performed too.

For a left-handed officer, position #1a is where he or she would perform a Support Side Armlock; while position #1b would be where he or she would perform a Strong Side Armlock. The other “a” and “b”

labeled positions would represent the Support Side Armlock and Strong Side Armlock, respectively.

Relative Positioning Diagram

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Strong Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing (Zone 2 skill)

TACTICAL TIP: First gain the advantage over the subject…and then go for subject-control.

Strong Side Armlock

Minimum Acceptable Performance Standards

1. Assume the Long Position (including stance and balance).

2. Execute the Formula for Armlock on the opponent’s arm directly opposite your strong side. [At the same time, lower the short handle on the opponent’s forearm. This will raise the Long End behind the opponent’s upper arm.]

3. Side step to the strong side, simultaneously releasing your grip on the long extended portion with your support hand. Maintain a full strong hand grip on the short handle.

4. Reach behind your opponent’s shoulder with your support hand and again grip the baton near the Long End. Pull it toward you as your strong hand fingers grasp your opponent’s lower forearm, just above the wrist while keeping your thumb wrapped around the short handle. [This starts the leverage needed for the armlock, which will begin to move the subject’s arm behind his/her back.]

5. Either turn your opponent or you may step behind him/her. [This should move your opponent’s arm completely behind his/her back and bring the short handle/portion up to a level equal to the small of his/her back.]

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6. Release your support hand grip near the Long End and position it so the palm edge can maintain downward pressure on top of the long extended portion while also sliding towards the opponent’s upper arm.

7. Grip the opponent’s upper arm with your support hand while keeping your wrist above the long extended portion.

8. For subject control, you need to maintain downward pressure with your support hand/wrist at the Long End while lifting up the short handle with your strong hand.

TIP: At Step #4, there are two acceptable ways to grip the long extended portion with the support hand. They are: (1) palm in or (2) palm out. The “palm in” grip is the fastest to perform and offers good control. The “palm out” grip is nearly as fast. It does however require the support hand to change from its initial grip on the long extended portion to a palm down position as the baton goes past the subject’s shoulder, then to the completion of the armlock. It adds another point — at the back of the subject’s upper arm — for getting control first over the arm, then over the subject. Practice standing and prone subject handcuffing.

The use of padded mats large enough to demonstrate and practice the Strong Side Armlock should be considered. The PR-24WT baton is suitable training aid for demonstrating and practicing the armlock.

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Strong Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

Re-grip either Palm In or Palm Out. Remember to also Take The Pulse as you complete the ‘Formula’ and then the Strong Side Armlock.

The phrase “Take the Pulse” refers to the manner by which an officer may further secure the subject’s lower forearm using his/her other fingers on the strong hand. The location of these fingers on the subject’s lower forearm/wrist would be approximately the same relative position for taking his/her pulse. Thus, the phrase “Take the Pulse” has emerged as an instructional hint and, later on, when an officer applies the strong side armlock to a subject while on the job.

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Strong Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing

Use the Armlock to take the subject straight down to the ground.

Hand Change

Strong Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

By taking a subject “straight” to the ground, as if following a plum line to the ground, an officer can generally maintain better control over the subject throughout his/her movement to the ground because more of the subject’s own body weight is maintained over his/her feet. This could be compared to how implosion works to demolish a building. Moreover, as the prone takedown maneuver is performed, an

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69 Strong Side Armlock: Prone

Handcuffing

Strong Side Armlock: Prone Handcuffing (Zone 2 skill)

In order to handcuff the subject, you will have to transition to an empty-hand wrist lock to further stabilize the subject’s arm so the first handcuff may be applied.

Transition

It is suggested that the PR-24 baton/Control Device be secure when applying handcuff in a manner that is governed by general order or department policy and/or procedures, as well as by prevailing conditions at the time of the incident.

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Strong Side Armlock: Prone Handcuffing

Remember to DOUBLE LOCK both cuffs! Check circulation in both hands.

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Strong Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

Use the Armlock to take the subject straight down to the ground.

Hand Change

Supplemental Information

By taking a subject “straight” to the ground, as if following a plum line to the ground, an officer can generally maintain better control over the subject throughout his/her movement to the ground because more of the subject’s own body weight is maintained over his/her feet. This could be compared to how implosion works to demolish a building. Moreover, as the prone takedown maneuver is performed, an officer may quickly turn the subject in the direction of the Long End, as the takedown begins.

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Strong Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way Strong Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

It is suggested that the PR-24 baton/Control Device be secure when applying handcuff in a manner that is governed by general order or department policy and/or procedures, as well as by prevailing conditions at the time of the incident.

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NOTES

Strong Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

Remember to DOUBLE LOCK both cuffs! Check circulation in both hands.

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Support Side Armlock

Minimum Acceptable Performance Standards

1. Assume the Long Position (including stance and balance).

2. Execute the Formula for Armlock on the opponent’s arm directly opposite your SUPPORT side.

3. Step to the side of your opponent in the direction of your support side, simultaneously releasing your grip on the long extended portion with your support hand. Maintain a full strong hand grip on the short handle.

4. Reach behind your opponent’s shoulder and again grip the baton near the Long End with your support hand. Pull it toward you, while keeping your strong hand closed around the short handle.

[This starts the leverage needed for the armlock, which will begin to move the subject’s arm behind his/her back.]

5. Either turn your opponent or step behind him/her. [This should move your opponent’s arm completely behind his/her back and bring the short handle/portion up to a level equal to the small of his/her back called “X” forearm position.]

6. Place your strong forearm above and parallel to the long extended portion and in contact with your opponent’s back, freeing your support hand for handcuffing.

7. For subject control, you need to maintain downward pressure with your strong elbow/armpit at the Long End while lifting up the short handle with your strong hand.

TIP: There is an acceptable alternative to Step #6; it involves INSERTING the Long End into your strong armpit. At the “X-forearm” position bring the long extended portion across the top of your forearm using your support hand until the Long End can be inserted into your strong armpit, then insert and firmly pull back on the short handle toward your armpit to tighten up the armlock. Always keep your strong forearm (and elbow) above the subject’s forearm for the purpose of control. The Support Side Armlock is a useful handcuffing technique but ONLY AFTER a non-compliant subject has been moved to a stable structure/object such as a wall, or is prone on the ground prior to BEING handcuffed. Practice standing and prone subject handcuffing.

The use of padded mats large enough to demonstrate and practice the Strong Side Armlock should be considered. The PR-24WT baton is suitable training aid for demonstrating and practicing the armlock.

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Support Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

TACTICAL TIP: Your Strong Hand grips the Short Handle throughout this skill.

Support Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing (Zone 2 skill)

TACTICAL TIP: First gain the advantage over the subject…and then go for subject-control.

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Support Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

TACTICAL TIP: Look down to see if your arms form an X (as shown).

Support Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

TACTICAL TIP: Maintain grip of your Strong Hand on the Short Handle.

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Support Side Armlock: Escort and/or Standing Partner Handcuffing

TACTICAL TIP: Simultaneously LIFT UP on the Short Handle and PUSH DOWN at the Long End when escorting the subject to a location where handcuffing may be more safely performed by you or with the assistance of a partner, which is recommended.

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Support Side Armlock: Securing the Long Extended Portion for Standing Handcuffing

TACTICAL TIP: It is recommended that the subject is first stabilized against a structure such as, but not limited to, a wall to apply handcuffs.

You may use one of two methods for securing the Long Portion.

THE INSERT METHOD: You place the Long End into your armpit to secure the armlock while handcuffs are applied.

In order for the camera to capture this technique, the skill had to be staged in a manner that is not consistent with its proper performance. In proper performance of a support side armlock, the subject’s chest is first placed against a wall or other structure to stop the subject from moving forward, which might dislodge the armlock while handcuffs are applied to the subject’s wrists.

Using the Insert Method to secure the Long End/Portion, it is harder to dislodge the armlock should the subject move forward. However, in some cases, the officer performing the Insert Method may find it uncomfortable to use the Insert Method when the subject is wearing winter clothing or has large lower arms. It would be the officer’s discretion to continue with the Insert Method or use the Elbow Method, as an alternative, to secure the Long End/Portion long enough to apply handcuffs to the subject’ wrists.

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TACTICAL TIP: It is recommended that the subject is first stabilized against a structure such as, but not limited to, a wall to apply handcuffs.

You may use one of two methods for securing the Long Portion.

THE ELBOW METHOD: You place your strong arm over the Long Portion to secure the armlock while handcuffs are applied.

Support Side Armlock: Securing the Long Extended Portion for Standing Handcuffing

In order for the camera to capture this technique, the skill had to be staged in a manner that is not consistent with its proper performance. In proper performance of a support side armlock, the subject’s chest is first placed against a wall or other structure to stop the subject from moving forward, which might dislodge the armlock while handcuffs are applied to the subject’s wrists.

Using the Elbow Method to secure the Long End/Portion, it is easier to dislodge the armlock should the subject move forward since the long extended portion could slip under and out from the officer’s elbow control. However, in some cases, the officer performing the Elbow Method may find it more comfortable to use than the Insert Method when the subject is wearing winter clothing or has large lower arms. It would be the officer’s discretion to continue with the Elbow Method or use the Insert Method, as an alternative, to secure the Long End/Portion long enough to apply handcuffs to the subject’ wrists.

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Support Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing (Zone 2 skill)

Use the Armlock to take the subject straight down to the ground.

By taking a subject “straight” to the ground, as if following a plum line to the ground, an officer can generally maintain better control over the subject throughout his/her movement to the ground because more of the subject’s own body weight is maintained over his/her feet. This could be compared to how implosion works to demolish a building. Moreover, as the prone takedown maneuver is performed, an officer may quickly turn the subject in the direction of the Long End, as the takedown begins.

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81 Support Side Armlock:

Prone Handcuffing (Zone 2 skill)

Support Side Armlock:

Prone Handcuffing

It is suggested that the PR-24 baton/Control Device be secure when applying handcuff in a manner that is governed by general order or department policy and/or procedures, as well as by prevailing conditions at the time of the incident.

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Support Side Armlock:

Prone Handcuffing

Remember to DOUBLE LOCK both cuffs!

Check circulation in both hands.

Support Side Armlock:

Prone Handcuffing

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NOTES

Support Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

Use the Armlock to take the subject straight down to the ground.

Supplemental Information

By taking a subject “straight” to the ground, as if following a plum line to the ground, an officer can generally maintain better control over the subject throughout his/her movement to the ground because more of the subject’s own body weight is maintained over his/her feet. This could be compared to how implosion works to demolish a building. Moreover, as the prone takedown maneuver is performed, an officer may quickly turn the subject in the direction of the Long End, as the takedown begins.

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Support Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

It is suggested that the PR-24 baton/Control Device be secure when applying handcuff in a manner that is governed by general order or department policy and/or procedures, as well as by prevailing conditions at the time of the incident.

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Support Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

Remember to DOUBLE LOCK both cuffs! Check circulation in both hands.

Support Side Armlock: From Escort to Prone Handcuffing the MDTS Way

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BLOCKING

In document PR-24 Coursebook (2011) (Page 61-87)