The Los Angeles Police Department is implementing a new device that will wrap suspects in kevlar, taking inspiration straight from the pages of everyone’s favorite caped crusader, Batman. The Device, no bigger then a smartphone, would use the same idea as Batman’s own bola weapons when trying to catch a fleeing suspect or if the suspect is wielding a knife or blunt weapon. Known as the BolaWrap 100, it will be shot off at 10 to 25 feet and small barbs will attach to the suspect and wrap a kevlar cord around the suspect’s arm or legs, ideally keeping them still before the officers would have to go for the next level of force which would be pepper spray or a taser.
Created by Las Vegas Wrap Technologies, The device will use a loud sound to intimidate, using another one of Batman’s ideas to intimidate his opponents. Wrap Technologies Chief Operating Officer Mike Rothans said in an interview with the LA Times,
This is a restraint device, This is meant to put time and distance between the officer.
Rothans, a retired Assistant sheriff with the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, went on to explain how the small barbs would be able to use a technique known as “pain compliance” if the suspect tried to pull the barbs out without the use of special tools help be the officers to get the barbs out.
The BolaWrap has already been approved by the Los Angeles Civilian Board that oversees new tools used by the LAPD, and the tool will be given to 200 LAPD officers to use for free in January 2020 for a 90 day testing period. If they meet the LAPDs high standards for its tools, Chief Deputy Martin Baeza has expressed his excitement into fitting even more of these into the LAPDs budget for next year.
What do you think of these new and exciting tools? What else do you think Law Enforcement could use from Batman? Do you think they could get a hold of a Green Lantern ring? Sound off in the comments below!