GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Grand Chute Police are training with a new device, to help make arrests without using force. It’s called a BolaWrap.
“The best way to describe the BolaWrap itself is a device you would expect Batman to carry,” said Travis Waas the community resource officer for Grand Chute Police Department.
The hand-held works almost like a lasso. Officers aim it at their target with the green laser, yell a warning, and an 8-foot string, anchored with two hooks, shoots from the device and wraps around a person’s arms or ankles.
“It temporality tangles them and restrains them so officers can safely approach them and arrest them,” said Waas.
Grand Chute Police Department purchased five BolaWraps, hoping the device will give officers another tool before arrests can escalate.
“They’re not necessarily actively fighting the officer but you told them ‘hey you’re under arrest you’re going to need to go to jail’ and they continue to passively resist you,” said Waas, “and their body getting in a boxer stance, clinching fists. They’re giving all the pre-attack postures that’s sending off an officer signals ok this person may fight me.”
Officer Travis Waas also sees this helping in other specific situations.
Fox 11 asked if this tool could help with mental health crises officers could address.
“Absolutely, yes,” said Waas. “Rather than having officers go hands-on with that individual, we can contain them with this first to not only prevent injuries from themselves but to officers as well.”
Chief Greg Peterson tells FOX 11 he tested it out on himself.
“You can kind of feel the rush when the chord hits you but it’s not painful and it wraps you up.”
He’s excited to see how this tool helps his officers.
“It’s comparable to a taser, pepper spray, that particular arena of weapons if you will or tools I should say it will fall. It’s not considered something potentially lethal or fatal. It’s not something we see causing injury. It’s a tool used to prevent people from being injured.”
The five BolaWraps will be distributed across the department. One in the supervisor’s vehicle at all times and the remaining four in vehicles out on patrol.
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