March 28, 2025
OPO Policy Recommendation: Revise General Order 321.2.1 Restraint Guidelines
This memorandum provides feedback on the Austin Police Department's General Order 321.2.1 regarding restraint guidelines. The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) recommends APD change the default for Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing arrestees, requiring them to request to have their handcuffs placed in front. Best practices suggest officers should proactively place handcuffs in front to enable communication by hand.
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P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
March 28, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: General Order 321.2.1 Restraint Guidelines
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 321.2.1 RESTRAINT GUIDELINES.
The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as follows:
321.2.1(a)(3): Restraint Guidelines
This policy analysis and recommendation address the need to improve APD's current policy on restraint
guidelines for arrestees. This policy recommendation addresses nationwide best practices for the proper
restraint of Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals. APD has an opportunity to enhance its
policy to better align with these best practices.
We look forward to addressing the identified issues and improving policies that will benefit both the
community and APD sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
NDED
1839
1
OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CITY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090
|
TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
321 RESTRAINT GUIDELINES
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD remove the language that places the burden of having to request to be
handcuffed in the front of the arrested person who is Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing.
The OPO analysis indicates that the best practice is for officers to place handcuffs on a deaf or hard-of-
hearing arrestee in front of their body, not behind. Since these individuals use their hands for
communication, the APD should remove the burden on the arrestee to specifically request that their
handcuffs be placed in front.
A
321.2.1(a)(3) RESTRAINT GUIDELINES
3. Unless it would pose a safety risk to officers, the arrested person, or the public, officers
should apply handcuffs to the front for arrested persons who are deaf or hard of hearing-and
who request to use their hands to communicate. Such communication may occur through sign
language or written communication.
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
March 28, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: General Order 321.2.1 Restraint Guidelines
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 321.2.1 RESTRAINT GUIDELINES.
The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as follows:
321.2.1(a)(3): Restraint Guidelines
This policy analysis and recommendation address the need to improve APD's current policy on restraint
guidelines for arrestees. This policy recommendation addresses nationwide best practices for the proper
restraint of Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals. APD has an opportunity to enhance its
policy to better align with these best practices.
We look forward to addressing the identified issues and improving policies that will benefit both the
community and APD sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
NDED
1839
1
OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CITY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090
|
TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
321 RESTRAINT GUIDELINES
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD remove the language that places the burden of having to request to be
handcuffed in the front of the arrested person who is Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing.
The OPO analysis indicates that the best practice is for officers to place handcuffs on a deaf or hard-of-
hearing arrestee in front of their body, not behind. Since these individuals use their hands for
communication, the APD should remove the burden on the arrestee to specifically request that their
handcuffs be placed in front.
A
321.2.1(a)(3) RESTRAINT GUIDELINES
3. Unless it would pose a safety risk to officers, the arrested person, or the public, officers
should apply handcuffs to the front for arrested persons who are deaf or hard of hearing-and
who request to use their hands to communicate. Such communication may occur through sign
language or written communication.