CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A new remote restraint device that would give police officers the option to handle certain encounters without using lethal force is being tested by the Aransas Pass Police Department.
The device is called the "BolaWrap 100" and it restrains a subject by propelling an 8-foot Kevlar cord that wraps around their arms and legs. The goal is for officers to have more time to control a situation before using other more harmful options, such as a taser.
Officers participated in a live demonstration with Epic Shooting's training center on Monday.
"When you look at the force continuum that officers have available to them, you go from verbal commands and command presence by the officer -- the 'BolaWrap' fits right after that, and before you get to the taser or OC (pepper) spray," said Doug Ramsey, President of Epic Shooting's Training and Tackle Defense Center. "It really fills this void."
The device reportedly is safer for the subject, the officers, and provides a less invasive encounter with any non-compliant subject. It deploys at 640 feet per second, and reloads similar to firearm ammunition, but using cartridges with Kevlar cord and anchor weights.
"Any tool that will be favorable in the way of apprehension and (is) less serious as far as bodily injury to the person being deployed on is a win-win," said Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard.
The device is currently used in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but the Aransas Pass Police Department is hoping to bring the device to South Texas.
"My training coordinator and upper command decided that we need to have more options available to us," said Blanchard. "We've been familiar with this product for a little while now, but they're just now getting to the point where they are able to deploy the product out."
The police department is waiting to test the device more before making it a permanent part of their arsenal.
"I am really impressed with it," said Blanchard. "Hopefully, we'll get to the point where every officer on the street is equipped with one."
