[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6395790,"mediaKeyId","2098252-4617994e356de6e0d07df717afd8d6f1","parentId",2098252,"title","Eugene PD sergeant briefs Civilian Review Board on handcuffing and flexible restraint devices","audioSeconds",386,"startMs",6507000,"endMs",6893000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098252-4617994e356de6e0d07df717afd8d6f1&start=6507&end=6893","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098252-4617994e356de6e0d07df717afd8d6f1/thumbnail_6507000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395790/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Eugene-PD-sergeant-briefs-Civilian-Review-Board-on-handcuffing-and-flexible-restraint-devices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395790-e2a5b2b6ad1cb682d4a0166612674d28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151794&Signature=WOZcX6YHaMYyIpowu-G8LqUX8r5qp7sxA-VjtdTLcgeLZp4zHzBLy3o99TMzpbsVS-H0gOkYis8JpE0~hTnMBb6J3I5xj8wGzaCiJw546A~kkN8M0ABJk2mrdxsUbceG-jXc3vq2MqMlSk0r3rmcpvF3Egxdb2phL0G1z9GVousIrtjgDlEJT7m9FwO2PqdOBsJsrPbDJ7dRWLw~Vq5Zvjiajyd7dZrrPv9zxrm~JuZmhi6KGwcMni604LMbDTG2VKlAYAPlhEHB6-hiaJKlbYVIvR-cQwNrrq0kSHJ4STwU3Jt8T1uijtwdeXfp90aio6p2sB99puSr0-XZqPSrlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Eugene, OR","date","2025-01-10T08:45:01.52Z","article","Tyler Richards, a sergeant and defensive-tactics instructor with the Eugene Police Department, gave the Civilian Review Board a training briefing on handcuffing and flexible restraint devices during the board's December meeting.

The presentation: what officers carry and why
Sergeant Richards told the board that officers are generally issued a single pair of chain handcuffs but commonly purchase a second set (often hinge-style handcuffs) for improved control. He demonstrated the difference in fit and control between chain and hinge cuffs and explained the use of the double-lock feature and the universal nature of the handcuff key.

Three handcuffing contexts
Richards described three broad scenarios and corresponding handcuffing approaches:
- Low-risk handcuffing: cooperative or known subjects who comply; officers apply cuffs with wrists close together and check fit.
- Unknown-risk handcuffing: the most common patrol scenario; two-officer technique preferred to control limbs and reduce the chance of resistance during handcuff application.
- High-risk/prone handcuffing: when officers reasonably suspect the subject is armed or violent; officers seek to have the subject prone and to employ lethal cover while additional officers complete handcuffing.

Flexible restraint devices (FRDs)
Richards explained that FRDs are used only after metal handcuffs are applied, and only to reduce the risk of kicking or self-injury during transport. He said FRDs are designed to limit a suspect's ability to extend their legs for full kicks; officers are trained to monitor anyone placed in an FRD continuously for positional asphyxia and to keep use as brief as possible, typically until arrival at jail or another controlled setting.

Training and policy points raised by the board
- Monitoring and medical risk: the board asked how officers decide when to remove an FRD; Richards said removal occurs when it is no longer needed and emphasized consistent monitoring and minimizing time in an FRD.
- Equipment and procurement: members asked why many officers buy a second set of cuffs; Richards said issued gear is sometimes limited and officers upgrade for function and fit.
- Use within an active struggle: Richards and other EPD staff explained that training stresses techniques to extract hands from under a body and to avoid strikes to the head where possible; in high-stress encounters officers may revert to trained defensive measures.
- Alternatives to metal handcuffs: the board discussed 'flexcuffs' and zip-tie restraints used for mass arrests or crowd-control units; Richards said those are bulkier and most applicable to specialty teams, not routine patrol.

Context and takeaways
Board members said the briefing helped contextualize the earlier case review of the July 15 incident and prompted follow-up questions about training frequency, de-escalation integration and whether officers regularly review body-worn video to improve report accuracy. Richards said officers are recommended to review video for accuracy in after-action reporting and that training covers de-escalation and crisis-intervention techniques.

Ending: next steps
The CRB requested clearer documentation in future IA packets about whether mental-health partners were considered or called to the scene, to help the board judge whether use-of-force incidents might have been prevented by alternative responses. Richards offered to return with additional demonstrations or materials if the board requested further training detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Civilian Review Board | December 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Sergeant Tyler Richards, defensive-tactics instructor for Eugene PD, presented the board an overview of handcuffing techniques, types of handcuffs and use of flexible restraint devices (FRDs). Board members asked practical questions about policy, risks and monitoring.","taxTitle","Eugene , Lane County, Oregon","taxId",2848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6395796,"Eugene Civilian Review Board debates July 15 use-of-force findings; members split on adjudication",5264,989000,6253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098252-4617994e356de6e0d07df717afd8d6f1&start=989&end=6253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098252-4617994e356de6e0d07df717afd8d6f1/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6395796/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Eugene-Civilian-Review-Board-debates-July-15-use-of-force-findings-members-split-on-adjudication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395796-85c535af0c7503d2700f2362aa11fcf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151794&Signature=bwnx1UQ8FRrygaLegU1ySC81VPbt92~faNMnAed6ggh55tzqUyu1Duo039SxktLbdZHXWPQ4SB0Gj-R~U8NLb5nVKC7owVTKP2~VwOHFKLO~a82A5-vk~VJUabNsPh-KAvq6BfPvkmE7sxRGOUzeVAkDTmmA7eVaEEa6FBcosTY5gxZGebR5i1zsY5629rFE-EYww-pn1rx9bps0GVQnnl6Co0LM1qwEDMlNoSurBQ8AzORIgmuyp49vfbJzOnAQykGnaYIce0o02jsSPKE1~4wTtciNwBaKRoVVg1j6SnNlsl2rtyNcqWQqVmwzPx8y8ueRmKLMU1bDgk-C8ZgFoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its December meeting the Eugene Civilian Review Board (CRB) reviewed a July 15, 2023 Eugene Police Department (EPD) use-of-force incident in which Sergeant C struck a suspect repeatedly and delivered knee strikes while officers worked to restrain the person.

The board heard a case summary from staff investigator Rob (last name not specified in the transcript), which presented the incident timeline: officers responded to a disorderly-person call; the suspect exited an apartment about 26 minutes after officers arrived, ran, was taken to the ground and actively resisted. Sergeant C applied a series of closed-fist strikes and two knee strikes while other officers assisted with control and handcuffing, according to the internal materials reviewed by the CRB.

Why it matters: the auditor's office recommended that all three allegations'two counts of excessive force under policy 800.2 (strikes to the head and knee strikes to the head) and one professionalism allegation under policy 103.4.2'be sustained. EPD's chain of command and the chief concluded the same conduct was within department policy. The CRB members debated whether the totality of force used was reasonable and whether Sergeant C's conduct met the department's professionalism standard.

Board discussion and differing views
Members spent three rounds of discussion: (1) intake, classification and monitoring; (2) EPD policy, practices and training; and (3) adjudication assessment. Several board members praised the thoroughness of the internal affairs investigation and the auditor's packet, but differed on whether force was excessive. Some members said the force appeared beyond what was necessary once control had been achieved; others said the event occurred in a chaotic, high-stress confrontation and that line commanders and other officers had judged the actions as within policy.

The auditor's memo (read to the board) stated that Sergeant C's actions fell below EPD's professionalism standard and recommended sustained findings on professionalism; the memo recommended sustained findings on the use-of-force allegations as well. EPD supervisory reviews cited the suspect's prior threats, prior possession of a knife on other calls, the suspect's active resistance during the incident, and the operational risks officers perceived at the time.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: CRB vote on adjudication recommendations for the July 15, 2023 incident (three allegations: two use-of-force, one professionalism).
- Outcome: transcript records members casting mixed votes; the record in the meeting transcript does not contain a clear, single final tally or an explicit board action outcome (final formal tally not specified in the transcript).

Key points raised by board members
- Risk perception vs. escape risk: some board members said EPD viewed the greatest risk as the suspect possibly being armed and threatening officers; others noted the suspect was barefoot and close to a fenced area, arguing escape risk was low.
- Training and image management: members asked whether additional training on handcuffing, hidden-hands techniques and 'image management' (how force appears to observers) would reduce occurrences where actions are lawful but look excessive to the public.
- CAHOOTS / mobile crisis role: multiple members asked how mental-health response teams are routed and whether prior contacts might have prevented escalation; EPD staff said CAHOOTS or mental-health partners sometimes stand by after officers make the scene safe, but when a call indicates imminent threat (damaging a door, threatening entry) police response is typical.

What the CRB reviewed (materials and findings)
Staff presented video review, officer interviews, a Blue Team report and an IA report. According to the investigator's summary read aloud to the board, Sergeant C delivered approximately nine closed-fist strikes and two knee strikes during the struggle; EPD noted the adjudication standard is preponderance of evidence for administrative findings and that chain-of-command reviewers concluded the actions were within policy. The auditor's office recommended sustained findings on all three allegations.

Next steps and limitations
Board members asked staff to include clearer references in future IA packets about whether and how mobile crisis teams like CAHOOTS were considered or notified, to help the CRB evaluate whether the incident could have been diverted from a police response. The transcript does not show an explicit staff assignment or follow-up deadline from the CRB.

Ending: context
The item prompted discussion about the broader system of crisis response in Eugene and about balancing officer safety and public perception. Several members observed that the incident highlighted gaps in mental-health response capacity and urged continued coordination between EPD and community mental-health resources. The transcript does not record a final, unambiguous CRB adjudication tally in a single conclusive line; the board's discussion and individual member positions are recorded in the meeting materials and minutes.","At its December meeting the Eugene Civilian Review Board reviewed a July 15, 2023 arrest in which Sergeant C delivered multiple closed-fist strikes and knee strikes to a suspect. The auditor's office recommended all allegations be sustained; EPD chain of command and the police chief found the conduct 'within policy.\",","actionData","errors"]

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Eugene PD sergeant briefs Civilian Review Board on handcuffing and flexible restraint devices

Eugene Civilian Review Board debates July 15 use-of-force findings; members split on adjudication