New police tech aims to de-escalate conflicts

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/12/2019 (2197 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A U.S.-based company is seeking to get a non-lethal tool in the hands of Winnipeg police officers, as well as law enforcement officials around the country, with the purpose of de-escalating situations before they turn violent.

Wrap Technologies president Tom Smith held a demonstration of the BolaWrap, a restrain tool developed to demobilize subjects while keeping a safe distance between them and the officer, Thursday night in Winnipeg.

“We’re with over 100 agencies in the United States… That’s why I’m up here in Canada, so agencies can come see what this is. Agencies are all facing similar problems around the world: how do you de-escalate a situation and not hurt somebody?” Smith said.

The demonstration was the first time the BolaWrap was used in Canada. Smith, who co-founded Taser with his brother in 1993, said he believes the new technology has the ability to save lives.

After leaving Taser in 2013, Smith launched his new company. The product spent 21/2 years in development, before prototypes were created and then feedback was sought from law enforcement. Production began six months ago.

The hand-held tool, which cost US$925 each and an additional US$30 per firing cartridge, launches an eight-foot Kevlar tether with grappling hooks that wrap around a suspect’s legs or midsection, temporarily restraining them and providing law enforcement officials time to move in for an arrest.

Smith said he believes the device could be an important intermediary option for police before a situation escalates to the point a Taser or firearm is pulled out.

“Think of throwing handcuffs on someone from a distance of 10 to 25 feet. But you’re not putting any electricity in them, any chemicals, nothing like that. You’re not hitting them with a baton. It’s not about pain compliance,” Smith said.

“It’s just a remote restrain tool for early intervention before a situation would escalate to a higher use of force situation. The whole intent of these tools is to give police a way to stop something without having to hurt anybody.”

Two enforcement agencies came out to Thursday night’s demonstration. The Winnipeg Police Service was not in attendance. A WPS spokeswoman declined comment when asked by the Free Press if the device is something the force would consider.

Seven people have died after police-involved shootings this year.

While Tasers can sometimes be ineffective in colder climates due to the bulky winter gear worn by most people, Smith said the BolaWrap is effective when suspects are layered up.

“It likes clothing. It’s wrapping around you. It’s throwing an eight-foot Kevlar tether with grappling hooks on the end that are No. 10 fishhooks. Those are going to grab onto that clothing, so the more you try to struggle to get away from it, the more it’ll grab on,” Smith said.

“This device, it’s early use. When you show up on a scene, between that officer’s presence and requiring a Taser, chemical spray, baton, ultimately a firearm, what can we do that’s not going to hurt somebody but will restrain them?”

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe