Subject Restraint
(Active & Compliant Handcuffing)

Handcuff training has often been a hot topic within the Security Industry. The Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Private Security and Investigative Services Branch, has yet to mandate any form of physical skills training within the Private Security Industry, although Security Guards are legally permitted to carry Handcuffs. While Security Guards have no more authority than a private citizen, they are held to a much higher standard in Court. Within R. vs. Dean, Ontario Court of Justice (Gen Div.) April 2nd 1991, the judge states “in his arrest, the agent of the store was exercising a state function.”
Since then it has been apparent that while Security Guards have only the same arrest authorities as a private citizen, the application of force and duty of care owed to the subject would be held to a standard similar to that of a Police Officer. As such, it is prudent that employers of Security Guards ensure that their staff have received adequate training, and not only have the ability to show competency within physical skills training, but also be able to articulate their actions whether it be to a Client, Supervisor or Ontario Court Judge.
Our Subject Restraint Program was developed by Stay Safe Instructional Programs CEO Steve Summerville, a former OPC Instructor, and was modeled after the same training currently delivered to Police Officers at the Ontario Police College (OPC) in Aylmer, Ontario.
Instructional Objectives:
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Identify and articulate subjective danger cues.
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Identify and perform proxemic principles.
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Identify and perform a supportive posture.
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Identify and articulate components that constitute a lawful arrest.
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Identify and articulate the Citizen’s Arrest & Self-Defence Act (2013).
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Identify and articulate the nomenclature, function and weaknesses of a standard handcuff.
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Identify and perform safe and effective handcuffing application drills.
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Identify and perform a reactive stance.
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Identify and perform the principle of "getting off the tracks".
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Identify and perform "relative positioning".
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Identify and perform three "escort positions".
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Identify and perform the removal of handcuffs from a compliant subject.
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Identify and perform safe and effective grounding of an actively resistant subject.
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Identify and articulate the signs of "Excited Delirium".
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Identify, articulate and experience "Positional Asphyxia".
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Identify and perform assisting a handcuffed subject to a standing position.
Subject Restraint Certification is only issued to participants who are able to prove competency. Certification is valid for 1 year and requires annual re-certification. Successful participants will receive a Certificate and Wallet Card.