An officer must have a valid objective reason to believe handcuffing is necessary. The accepted criteria include:
1 - Preventing Escape: A reasonable belief that the detainee will attempt to run away.
Henry Nowak was unable to stand, let alone run away.
2 - Preventing Harm: To protect the officer, the public, or the detainee themselves from imminent violence or self-injury.
Henry Nowak was bleeding out, unable to attack anyone. The actual perpetrator was still free and uncuffed at this time.
3 - Preventing Evidence Destruction: When a suspect is highly likely to conceal, drop, or destroy evidence.
While no one was watching Digwa, he handed the murder weapon to his mother who then hid it in their home. Digwa also took videos of Henry desperately trying to escape before police arrived. These videos (to my knowledge) have not been released.
4 - Controlling Non-compliance: When the individual is actively resisting or failing to cooperate.
Once again, Henry could hardly get the words "I can't breathe" out, there was no risk of lack of compliance.
Why was Henry Nowak handcuffed?