How do you place a suspect in the final challenge position?

The final challenge position is designed to ensure both the safety of the law enforcement officer and the suspect, providing a controlled way to manage a potentially dangerous situation. Commanding specific hand and toe positions is essential because these commands help to immobilize the suspect and reduce the risk of them attempting to draw a weapon or escape.

Instructing the suspect on where to place their hands and toes creates a secure posture — often hands spread wide apart and toes pointed outward — that can limit their ability to quickly move or react. This position also allows officers to maintain a visual on the suspect’s movements to ensure they do not pose a threat while further instruction or restraint is being prepared.

This approach emphasizes the importance of control and compliance in high-stress environments, making it crucial that the officer communicates effective commands that the suspect can easily understand and execute.