Advertisement

Police department equipped with new restraint device

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

During training on the BolaWrap 100 Remote Restraint Device, Officer Gunner Pitzer aimed at the lower legs of his subject before deployment. (Photo by Correne Martin)

The BolaWrap’s cord is meant to wrap around the subject’s legs or arms. Once the cord is fully wrapped, two barbed anchors on each end secure the wrap into the person’s clothing, thus restraining them.

(Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

 

The Prairie du Chien Police Department has access to a new handheld device that—like Tasers, pepper spray, bean bag guns and batons—gives officers a less-lethal alternative to deadly force.

The BolaWrap 100 Remote Restraint Device can assist law enforcement by temporarily entangling and restraining uncooperative suspects or non-responsive people in crisis, from a safe distance and with minimal risk of injury. The police department purchased two of these devices over a month ago with donated funds from its Foundation, said Police Chief Kyle Teynor.

The BolaWrap, made by WRAP Technologies in Arizona, is a small device about the size of a smartphone. It holds a serialized, one-time-use cartridge that discharges an 8-foot Kevlar cord that can wrap instantly around a person, attach to their clothing with barbed anchor points, and then restrict their movement. The BolaWrap’s surprising gunshot sound serves a dual purpose, creating a startle response in the suspect.

According to bolawrap.com, the intention for use of this pre-escalation and apprehension tool is to make certain situations safer for all individuals involved and to allow for officers to approach an out-of-control suspect.

Officer Max Erickson attended a “train the trainer” program in Woodstock, Ill., and then returned to Prairie to demonstrate and lead hands-on training with the device just a few weeks ago. MFL MarMac and Postville agency representatives attended as well to understand and relay to their staff that PdC is equipped with these devices and to learn the benefits and limitations of them and their intended use. 

In Wisconsin and Iowa, there are a couple other departments utilizing this new tool—developed in 2016. The Brown County Sheriff’s Department (Bellevue, Wis.) and Nevada, Iowa, department are among the few. Prairie du Chien is proud to be on the cusp of this opportunity also. 

“If this tool is out there and we’re not considering it, we’re foolish. No enforcement we take is completely void of risk. My job is to always be looking for ways to minimize risk of injury to the public, my officers and subjects we are arresting or attempting to take into custody,” Chief Teynor said. “No tool is 100 percent effective. We have experienced that with OC sprays, electronic control devices (Tasers), etc. We anticipate experiencing failure rates with this device. That doesn’t mean we should ignore the option and close our mind to the available alternatives to the ‘way we’ve always done it.’”

The devices cost $900 each, and every disposable cartridge used is an added $30 apiece, Teynor said. 

Erickson said the recommended effective range of the BolaWrap is 10-25 feet, aimed between the subject’s knees and ankles, and elbows to wrists. The Kevlar cord fires out at 250 feet per second at 10 feet, 200 fps at 15 feet and 150 fps at 20 feet—propelled by a partial .380 round blank. He noted that there should also be 3-4 foot clearance on all sides around the targeted person for the wrap to be effective.

There is a safety on the device as well as an activation button. 

Teynor said, certainly, there are times where use of the device would not be advised. This would include near elevated areas where there could be a secondary injury from falling, around water, or on frail elderly.

“(In each situation), we have to take into account the risks of using this versus the risks of not using it,” Teynor stated.

Use of force within the Prairie du Chien Police Department isn’t something taken lightly, according to the chief.

In 2020, the department had 37 incidents where force was used, with two deployments of a Taser being the most serious. So far in 2021, Teynor reported 18 incidents where there was use of force and no Taser deployments. 

“Use of force can consist of simply displaying an instrument to gain compliance, using those instruments to affect an arrest, or the use of force could be as simple as placing an arrested person in a physical hold such as a rear compliance hold or decentralization technique,” he explained. 

After any use of force, the PdC Police Department follows a three-tier review system, which includes a review of the case by its defense and arrest instructor, the police lieutenant and also the chief. During this review, they ensure compliance with trained techniques and department policy and they identify any need for remedial training or a focus on in-service training. 

Rate this article: 
No votes yet