Why Police Officers Hold the Head of Arrested Persons When Entering a Car

When arresting officers bring a suspect into a squad car, a common practice is to hold their head. This seemingly innocent action serves multiple purposes, primarily centered around safety and preventing potential legal complications. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind this practice and discuss how it protects both the officers and the individuals they arrest.

Reasons for Holding the Head During Arrest

The primary reason officers hold a suspect's head is to prevent them from banging it on the car's door frame while entering the vehicle (Reason 1). By doing so, they ensure the arrestee stays safe and uninjured during this potentially stressful and uncomfortable moment. The officer's hand acts as a barrier, naturally preventing the head from coming into contact with the metal frame, which could lead to injuries such as lacerations, fractures, or concussions.

However, the practice of holding the head goes beyond mere safety. Another crucial aspect is to prevent any deliberate self-inflicted injuries (Reason 2). Officers understand that an arrestee might intentionally hit their head for two reasons: one, as an act of self-harm or defiance, and two, with the intent to create a form of collateral damage against the police, which could be later used as evidence of police brutality.

Preventing Legal and Safety Complications

By holding the head, officers ensure that arrestees do not sustain any injuries that could later be used against them in a legal context (Safety to Protect Arrestees from Accidents). For instance, an arrestee might claim that the impact with the door frame caused injuries, leading to a potential complaint of police violence. However, since the officer's hand absorbs the impact, any resulting injuries can be attributed to the officer's intervention, turning the arrestee's claim into a false one.

The practice also serves as a deterrent to minimize the risk of self-inflicted injuries that could materialize into false accusations of police brutality. If the accused officer has their hand on the suspect's head, any impact with the door frame or roof of the car can be attributed to the officer's gesture, adding an additional charge to the original arrest, such as "assaulting an officer."

Ensuring Smooth Entry and Exit

Officers also hold the head to ensure a smooth and safe entry into the car. This is especially important as arrestees may be in a compromised position, making it difficult for them to navigate the tight space of a police vehicle. By holding their head, the officer can guide them in and out of the car, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries (Reason 1).

This method also minimizes the risk of arrestees hitting their heads on the car's side when getting in (So They Don’t Bump Perps Head On the Top of the Door Frame). The officer's hand acting as a cushion ensures that the arrestee's head stays safe and is less likely to come into contact with sharp edges or hard surfaces.

Lastly, officers need to protect themselves from false claims of excessive force. By taking the knocks and impacts, officers can demonstrate their duty to protect the arrestee, thereby closing off any avenues for legal disputes (Better to Hit My Hand Than Be Able to File a Complaint).

Conclusion

While the practice of holding the head of arrested persons during vehicle entry may seem arbitrary, it has several significant safety and legal implications. Officers take this step to protect both their suspects and themselves, ensuring a smooth and safe process. This seemingly small action is a vital part of police procedure, designed to uphold the integrity of the justice system and prevent false claims of police misconduct.

The key takeaway is that this practice is not just about safety but also about preventing false accusations and ensuring that all interactions with arrested individuals are conducted with due care and consideration.

Keywords: police procedure, safety precaution, self-inflicted injury