Deescalation techniques have been at the forefront of conversations about law enforcement since long before George Floyd took his last breath, and they continue to be a focus today. Minnesota law enforcement officers have received regular training sessions on new or updated deescalation techniques, but they may soon have a new tool in their utility belt to put an end to a potentially violent confrontation.
BolaWrap Kevlar Device
The new device that police are leaning on is called the BolaWrap, and it’s a tool that can help subdue a suspect without causing as much pain or the potential for death like a Taser or a firearm. The Bolawrap is a device with a heavy Kevlar string that can be expelled at a suspect from a distance of 15-25 feet. The Kevlar cord is designed to quickly wrap around a target after it has been discharged, entangling an arm or a pair of legs without causing the pain that can come with an electrical impulse from a taser. Law enforcement is hopeful the Bolawrap can stop a fleeing suspect or entrap an arm that may be holding a potentially dangerous weapon, deescalating a situation before it turns violent.
“The agencies that have implemented the BOLA Wrap-150, and they’ve done it with a reasonable training to accompany it, they’ve had overwhelmingly positive results. They use this tool more than all of their other tools combined, in some cases,” said Chad Malmberg, CEO of STORM Training Group, who works with over 200 law enforcement agencies across the state on deescalation techniques.
Malmberg believes the BolaWrap will likely become the preferred deescalation tool to help officers avoid more forceful or deadly interactions.
Hopefully the BolaWrap can be a useful tool for police officers going forward, and hopefully officers can find the right situations to implement the technology. Obviously more aggressive devices will be warranted if the suspect has a firearm, a knife or a similar weapon, but unarmed individuals, those who pose a very limited physical threat or individuals going through a mental health crisis may find that the situation deescalates in a more humane way when police use the BolaWrap device.
We’ll keep tabs on its effectiveness if the device becomes more popular with law enforcement in Minnesota, but remember that you as an individual can always work to deescalate situations and avoid a more tense interaction. Remain calm, know your rights and never flee on foot or in a vehicle from an approaching officer.
If you or someone you know needs help fighting a criminal charge or working out another criminal matter, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
