Published on June 03, 2022
Maricopa police officers have a new tool to help them restrain non-compliant suspects. The BolaWrap looks like something you’d only find in a Hollywood movie, but police agencies across the country are putting it to practical use every day. Less painful and far less stressful on subjects than a Taser, the BolaWrap is considered much lower on the use of force scale. That means it can be used as an early intervention tool to help prevent situations from escalating. Subjects that are combative, physically out of control, or suffering from mental illness can present a threat to officers, other members of the public, and to themselves. The BolaWrap gives officers time to safely assess and neutralize that threat. These devices can be used at a distance of up to 25 feet. They work by deploying a 7.5-foot cord that, just as the name suggests, wraps around a subject’s legs or arms. A multi-dot laser makes them easy to aim and deploy. The BolaWrap is not a replacement for, but an addition to the tools MPD officers have to help them bring incidents to a safe conclusion. “The primary focus of the Maricopa Police Department is the preservation of life. We will continue to evaluate and incorporate any technology that assists our officers in the area of force de-escalation.”- Chief James Hughes, Maricopa Police Department The Maricopa Police Department purchased eight BolaWrap devices and officers are now using them in the field. These types of technologies are part of a continued effort to explore and invest in safer ways to protect and serve the community. Check out the video below to watch Maricopa police officers as they train with these new crime-fighting devices.