BigDave wrote:
I understand your point, but when a case pops up......I don't know about you..........the last thing I'll probably check is if my handcuffs are unlocked
I heard a story of a guy who was trained to not keep one in the chamber....
Gear check should never be skipped. Aside from the fact that when a "case pops up" I have ample time to unlock the cuffs. I am not saying that I keep them locked until apprehension. They stay locked when they are "in storage", if you will. I would not carry cuffs on person and have them double-locked.
If checking to see if your handcuffs are locked is something you don't have time for when a case comes in, you may want to make time. Handcuffs are not infallible, and they can break. They can jam, they rust shut, even the sturdiest brands are not perfect. I have seen some shiny cuffs that rusted shut on the inside. It would not be ideal to be in the process of placing restraints on a defendant only to find out that your restraints have malfunctioned.
In the same way, if you don't have time to check your cuffs, what about your other gear? Your mace can get clogged, the batteries in your taser can lose juice, the light bulbs in your flashlights can burn out, your pistol holster can crack or rip, your walkies can have broken antennas, etc, etc, etc.
Not properly checking your gear is like shifting without using the clutch: It ain't good for what you're running.
