What should officers check for after handcuffing someone?

After handcuffing someone, it is essential to check for the tightness of the cuffs to ensure the subject's comfort and safety, as well as to prevent injury. Handcuffs that are too tight can cause serious harm, including nerve damage and restriction of blood flow, leading to severe negative consequences. By assessing the tightness, officers can adjust the cuffs as necessary to strike a balance between secure restraint and the well-being of the individual. Properly fitted cuffs should allow for some movement of the wrists while preventing the individual from easily escaping the restraints.

While it is also important to consider the condition of the subject's wrists and their overall body position, the immediate concern after applying handcuffs is ensuring the cuffs themselves are not impairing circulation or causing undue stress. Checking for looseness may be relevant in some contexts, but maintaining an appropriate level of tightness is crucial in law enforcement practices to ensure safety and compliance.