Police set 1-hour limit for use of handcuffs after arrest
However, if the individual displays disobedience or poses a risk to others, the period may be extended by one additional hour.
Top Stories
The Maldives Police Service has amended its procedural rules to specify that individuals arrested by police officers may be held in handcuffs for a maximum of one hour.
The amendments were published in the Government Gazette on Monday as part of updates to the Rules of Procedure for the Investigation of Criminal Cases.
Under the new regulations, an arrested person may remain handcuffed for up to one hour. However, if the individual displays disobedience or poses a risk to others, the period may be extended by one additional hour.
The amendment also provides that if the transfer of an arrested person to a custodial facility or police station takes more than an hour, the individual may remain handcuffed until arrival.
According to the new rules, if an arrestee is not a danger to himself or others and does not resist police instructions, the handcuffs must be removed upon arrival at the police station.
The revised regulations also include provisions on the manner of restraint during an arrest. It states that if the law authorises the use of force against an arrested person, it should generally be applied with both hands positioned behind the back. However, officers may restrain with both hands facing each other, depending on the behaviour of the person, the level of threat posed, and the situation at the time.
The amendment adds an exception allowing the use of restraints to protect the arrested person or others from harm when being taken to a designated location.
