The Roman Forest Police Department and Oak Ridge North Police Departments are the first two police agencies to acquire a new remote handcuff of sorts. It is called the BOLAWRAP and they are two of 600 agencies in the United States now using the devices. A Bola has been used for centuries. Back then it was described as a throwing weapon made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords used to capture animals by entangling their legs. Now step into 2022, a company has designed a device using the same principle and put it in a hand-gun type device that deploys using an explosive charge. It can be used on a person from 10-25 feet away and renders them immobile. It will be used in several cases. A suicide subject threatening to jump off a bridge or building, an offender who is not complying with orders. The way the device works it has a laser. The officer lines the laser up between the knees and thighs or between the shoulders and elbows. The officer will let other officers know it is being deployed so the explosive charge is not confused with a gunshot. The eight-foot line is then deployed. It has weights on both ends so that when it hits the object it will wrap around them. In addition on the weights are very small hooks that are designed to catch on clothing to keep the line in place. Officer spent Thursday morning being certified using the device. The device is intended to subdue a person without injuring them. Once deployed it makes it easier for the officer to be able to put their hands on the person and restrain them with shackles or cuffs. It is not being used for fleeing or violent subjects. The cost of the device is just under $1000. The device was invented by Elwood Norris, who has close to 80 patents under his belt.
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By SCOTT ENGLE/MCPR- http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/
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