ABSTRACT
Law enforcement personnel and others are required on some occasions to use restraint techniques to control individuals who may be violent or suffering from some form of acute behavioural disturbance. There is a risk of unintended harm with all restraint techniques, and there is a risk of death with some of them. It is important to understand the intended effects, and risks to health, of each of these techniques and devices. All law enforcement personnel involved in restraint control or public order settings should have an understanding of conflict resolution and the factors that will affect how individuals respond to certain threats or actions. Around the world there are a wide variety of techniques, implements and weapons which may be used for control and restraint. Many are techniques used for crowd control including the use of tear gas, water cannon, horses, and ‘kettling’. A variety of arm locks and holds, pressure-point control and knee and elbow strikes may be used.
