Peace Mitts
In order to present the police force with another option before using hand cuffs or zip ties on a subject, retired officers from the Cape Cod Police Department developed a concept that engages the subject in creating a safe environment. By allowing the subject to place the mitts onto themselves, the officer is able to focus on assessing and de-escalating the situation rather than worrying about their own safety.
Domestic disputes present an environment wherein the highest priority is de-escalation
Courtroom context of use involves presenting defendants in a manner that is less alienating towards the jury and themself
Traffic stops require patience and calm, allowing the police to focus on safely assessing the situation before acting
The aim with prototyping was to take a glove - bind 4 fingers together - and form the hand into an arc. The purpose of the arc is to make the hand less able to cause damage if used as a weapon.
The final works-like prototype features a malleable foam hemisphere in the palm with a Styrofoam core. This enables the hand to move comfortably, without being able to form a fist. The thumb is allowed full range of motion to allow the performance of simple tasks. Lastly, the wrist cuff has a short rigid opening to allow the subject to easily place both mitts on without aid.