Police in Abbotsford, British Columbia, have acquired 'flying handcuffs' - a non-lethal tool, marking a first in the province.
Abbotsford Police Department Introduces New Non-Lethal Restraint Tool
The Abbotsford Police Department in British Columbia has become the first police department in the province to adopt a new non-lethal restraint tool called the BolaWrap. This innovative device, often referred to as flying handcuffs, is designed to offer a safer and more effective means of controlling individuals in unpredictable or emotionally-charged situations.
The BolaWrap operates in the critical moment between verbal commands and physical contact, allowing officers to restrain individuals using a tethering mechanism that avoids pain-based compliance. This approach reduces escalation, physical confrontations, and risks for everyone involved while improving tactical positioning through a human startle response.
The BolaWrap 150 is specifically designed for pre-escalation intervention during behavioural health crisis responses and situations requiring hands-on control. Its successful deployment has been demonstrated in various instances, resulting in safe arrests without injury or further incident.
The Abbotsford Police Department's decision to implement the BolaWrap is part of their ongoing commitment to adopting innovative, effective public safety technologies. Unlike traditional compliance tools that rely on pain or emotional triggers, the department uses the BolaWrap's tethering mechanism to safely restrain individuals, thereby reducing the likelihood of escalation and injury.
Const. Alex Odintsov, a member of the training section of the Abbotsford Police Department, explains that the BolaWrap is a valuable addition to the range of options available to the department's members. The department plans to implement the BolaWrap over the next year and will evaluate its effectiveness based on the data collected.
Deputy Chief Const. Jason Burrows of the Abbotsford Police Department supports the use of the BolaWrap, recognizing its potential as an additional force option. The department dedicates a day to training for the BolaWrap, including theoretical application, practice, and scenario components.
Some situations where the BolaWrap may be used are when people are actively walking away from officers. The BolaWraps were purchased from the policing budget of the Abbotsford Police Department, with each unit costing approximately U.S. $1,500. The department currently has six BolaWraps.
Experts emphasize that successful implementation of such new tools requires a strong evidence base, collaboration, clear procedural guidance, and openness to innovation—all factors likely considered by Abbotsford in adopting BolaWrap. The department's implementation of the BolaWrap aligns with broader policing trends emphasizing evidence-based, low-risk tactics for managing unpredictable or emotionally charged people.
In summary, the BolaWrap offers a non-lethal option for officers responding to situations that require control from a distance. Its use in the Abbotsford Police Department is expected to improve public safety and arrest procedures, focusing on non-painful restraint. The department's successful implementation and evaluation of the BolaWrap will contribute to the broader understanding of its effectiveness and potential for adoption by other police departments.
[1] BolaWrap [2] Abbotsford Police Department [3] Innovative Public Safety Technologies [4] Effective Use of Force Options
- The BolaWrap, an innovative public safety technology, is being adopted by the Abbotsford Police Department as a non-lethal option for inhibiting individuals in unpredictable or emotionally-charged situations, enhancing their effective use of force options.
- In alignment with their commitment to implement innovative technologies, the Abbotsford Police Department's acquisition of gadgets like the BolaWrap fosters healthier approaches to crowd control, leaning more towards technology and less on pain-inducing methods, promoting safer sports of engagement for both officers and those in their care.
