Is handcuffing by police a mandatory or optional procedure?

Factual Questions
1

Hi
Is handcuffing by police a mandatory or optional procedure? Does it depend on the state you are in or who you are or perhaps the circumstances? I’m asking because this article makes clear is the first instance I have ever come across where it wasn’t enforced.

I look forward to your feedback.

“Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was arrested Thursday morning along with his wife, Linda, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto in a bribery and kickback scheme.
Mangano and his wife walked out of his Bethpage home without handcuffs just before 7 a.m. and got into waiting vehicles, WABC reported.”

2

It does vary by jurisdiction and circumstances. In this case it’s not clear they were actually being arrested at their home. These things are sometime negotiated by lawyers ahead of time.

3

Police officers are human and can use their judgement. If it is obvious a person arrested is not going to cause any trouble (old lady, small child, etc.), then they can elect to not handcuff them - even if it is a requirement. They are people and people don’t always follow rules to a “T”.

4

Note this is a white collar crime. I expect it might be fairly common in white collar crimes not to handcuff.

5

The one time I was arrested, it was by a cop that I knew by name. He said it was required and just handed them to me and told me to put them on myself.

6

This is not something that will be covered by any law. This is a policy issue and each department will have their own policies.