Should children be handcuffed?

Lamb · Aug 8, 2015

If a child commits a crime, should the police put him or her in handcuffs?

MoreCoffee · Aug 8, 2015

Lämmchen said:
If a child commits a crime, should the police put him or her in handcuffs?

Not when they are 8 years old!

Mountain Girl 406 · Aug 8, 2015

What kind of crime could a small child commit? Having a tantrum?
Once my very young. ..3 or so, year old son asked to have some gum. He did this in the parking lot after we left, pulled the gum out of his pocket and asked if he could have it. Considering his age and level of understanding I didn't consider that he committed a crime. I explained to him that the gum belonged to the store and he took it back in and apologized. If the store had called the police it would have been extremely upsetting and no better at teaching him not to shoplifters, instead it would have taught him to fear police.

Lamb · Aug 8, 2015

What age should handcuffs be applied?

MoreCoffee · Aug 8, 2015

Lämmchen said:
What age should handcuffs be applied?

Not until physical maturity really, or at least not until the child is close to adult stature.

NewCreation435 · Aug 8, 2015

I guess it depends on what crime they did. Handcuffs are there to help protect the officer and other people if the kid is threatening others or doing something that is a danger to themselves.

Ruth · Aug 8, 2015

If the child is going berserk I think the police could use handcuffs. So many people try to run away from the police so I see why they use handcuffs. So many laws are stupid and I think many laws should be reviewed. I think the police are too harsh to many people.

tango · Aug 8, 2015

Lämmchen said:
If a child commits a crime, should the police put him or her in handcuffs?

Not something you can give a simple answer to really.

It depends on the child, the crime, all sorts of things. A 10-year-old arrested for stealing candy from a store would be treated very differently to a 13-year-old who was suspected of rape and was violent.

Forgiven1 · Aug 10, 2015

Depends on the crime and how cooperative they are. How young are you wondering about?

psalms 91 · Aug 10, 2015

No! Teenagers yes if they are unruly but any other children no.

tango · Aug 10, 2015

bill1231 said:
No! Teenagers yes if they are unruly but any other children no.

So what about a violent 12 year old?

psalms 91 · Aug 10, 2015

A trained police officer cannot subdue a 12 year old? I would question either his training or his fitness to do the job

Krissy Cakes · Aug 10, 2015

Lämmchen said:
What age should handcuffs be applied?

MoreCoffee said:
Not until physical maturity really, or at least not until the child is close to adult stature.

I agree with you Coffee.

keith99 · Aug 28, 2015

MoreCoffee said:
Not until physical maturity really, or at least not until the child is close to adult stature.

Yup until that point zip ties should be used because cuffs don't fit right!

Honestly it depends on the crime and the demeanor of the child. If the kid looks like he might bolt then cuffing is definitely in order and simply removes temptation. In a lot of cases where it seems 'over the top' it may be the best think an officer could do FOR the kid. It is a pretty effective way to communicate that a serious line has been crossed without the long term consequences of a record. That said a serious line should have been crossed or at least approached.

LovebirdsFlying · Aug 28, 2015

I agree with those who are saying it depends on multiple factors. The maturity level and temperament of the child, and the nature of the crime, should all be considered. I started to say "age of the child," but I changed it to "maturity level" because some 11-year-olds can be bigger and more developed than some 14-year-olds. I also agree with the zip ties instead of handcuffs suggestion.

Rens · May 16, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plqaJBcnscA

Alithis · May 16, 2016

Lämmchen said:
If a child commits a crime, should the police put him or her in handcuffs?

yes. especially at dinner time.!!

Alithis · May 16, 2016

bill1231 said:
A trained police officer cannot subdue a 12 year old? I would question either his training or his fitness to do the job

presently screwed up over pc laws make it so they cant subdue a 12 yr old without violating sime human right somewhere..its gone nutz

psalms 91 · May 17, 2016

Alithis said:
presently screwed up over pc laws make it so they cant subdue a 12 yr old without violating sime human right somewhere..its gone nutz

Yes, I am tired of PC, very tired

visionary · May 18, 2016

Do police place two year olds, who got ahold of mother's gun in Walmart and shot her dead, in handcuffs? I don't think so.
If the police officer considers the child a danger to themselves or others, handcuffs are to restrain them.
If the police officer determines that the child may try to escape, handcuffs are necessary.

Should children be handcuffed?

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