By Apoorva Khandelwal
Technology enhances effectiveness in the police force. Those technology pieces include cameras, lasers, gunshot detection systems, and much more. But today I am going to be talking about technology and handcuffs. Did you ever know that handcuffs and technology correlate with each other?
“Handcuff” is a deceit that is popular of Anglo-Saxon “handcop” in which cops catch the hands. They were first used during the 4th century BC when enslaving prisoners for war. Handcuffs have varied over the centuries, in which some included shackles, irons, and manacles. Around the 1850s, the usage of handcuffs began to skyrocket because of the number of crimes as western worlds were becoming urbanized.
All the way until 1850, there were only two types of handcuffs, Bango and Flexible. The Bango handcuffs were common in England which didn’t allow the prisoner any action. This was very helpful when putting dangerous prisoners locked up. On the other hand, the Flexible handcuff allowed prisoners a bit of flexibility. This handcuff allowed them to eat themselves and other tasks when they were locked up. The ‘Flexible’ handcuff also known as the ‘Darby’ and ‘English’ handcuffs were very common for street usage due to them being easily hidden. Another factor was weight. Sizing was another factor. Too small or too large handcuffs for the prisoner will be harder to put on.
In the 1850s, they needed to make handcuffs which were both for prison as well as street. To add on, they had to be adjustable, secure, and flexible. Drumroll please, here is where ‘Snap,’ ‘Twister’ and ‘Nippers’ enter. Snap was the most popular one. It has two loops, in which one is bigger than the other. The bigger one is held by the police while the second one is snapped over the suspect’s. There were several other handcuffs after these ones.
We know that handcuffs nowadays can be beneficial but also have flaws. Yes, they are easy to put onto the criminal, but they often get away. On news there have been several times that they put the criminal handcuffed into the police car, and the police go on a break. During that break, the prisoner escapes. We all know a time that has happened. So what can we do to fix that? Is there a new handcuff technology being made?
The new handcuff is based on the Taser technology. Sending a high voltage, it could immobilize the prisoner. To add onto the immobilization, the handcuffs also can tack the location. This would be helpful when there is a restricted area for the prisoner and they get close to it. Another feature I find interesting to the handcuff is the capability to administrator drugs by the injection.
Technology always helps in some ways. One of the workplaces technology is used is in the police force. Handcuffs and engineering science do correlate. Using technology handcuffs will be very beneficial to us in the present and future to help us stay safe.
References:
Engineering.com, new.engineering.com/story/handcuff-technology-a-brighter-future.
History of the Handcuffs, www.weapons-universe.com/Law_Enforcement/Handcuffs/History/History_of_Handcuffs.shtml.
“A HISTORY OF HANDCUFFS.” Blue Line, 6 May 2019, www.blueline.ca/a_history_of_handcuffs-2396/.
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