What is an important consideration when positioning restrained persons?

The correct answer highlights the critical importance of ensuring that a restrained person's breathing is not obstructed. In law enforcement, the safety and well-being of individuals in custody is paramount. When individuals are restrained, especially in prone positions, there is a risk that their airway can become compromised, leading to serious medical emergencies, including asphyxiation or positional asphyxia.

Avoiding obstruction of breathing is fundamental to the ethical treatment of restrained individuals and aligns with best practices designed to prevent harm. Officers must be trained to position individuals in a way that supports their physical safety and does not impede their ability to breathe comfortably, recognizing the potential risks associated with certain restraint positions.

In contrast, limiting movement and ensuring that persons cannot escape may seem important for officer safety, but they should not take precedence over the health and safety of the individual being restrained. Using a prone position is often cited as a high-risk practice and should be approached with caution, as proper training and awareness of risks associated with it are essential to ensure that breathing is not hindered.