Which of the following is the correct set of components for the 3 C's in handcuffing?

• A. Catch them, Contain them, Cuff them
• B. Catch them, Control them, Cuff them
• C. Contain them, Control them, Calm them
• D. Calm them, Control them, Cuff them

Answer: (B)

The sequence used in handcuffing emphasizes the order of actions to minimize risk: first catch them, then control them, then cuff them. Catching wins the initial grip and brings the person into a controllable position, reducing the chance of a sudden draw or surge. Once you have a secure grip and the subject is within your control, you move to control—maintaining restraint, guiding their movements, and keeping hands visible and away from your weapon or body. Only after control is established do you apply the restraints by cuffing them, completing the restraint in a way that supports safety for everyone involved.

Replacing catch with calm or using contain in place of catch disrupts this flow. Calm is valuable as a de-escalation tool, but it isn’t the first physical action you take, and containment without initial control can leave you vulnerable. The established sequence—catch, control, cuff—best fits the practical demands of safely restraining a subject.