Abbotsford police are equipped with a new non -lethal weapon, the bolawrap

Abbotsford police presented a new non -lethal weapon on Thursday that they are. Furthermore, the first to use in Canada: Bolawrap. Consequently, This device takes the form of a large yellow remote control that projects a Kevlar rope. In addition,

By targeting the legs. In addition, upper body, the agents can thus encroach, at a distance, the members of the targeted individual, to immobilize him before his arrest. Therefore, When triggered, this system emits a deaf noise which is similar to that of a firearm.

This surprising effect gives agents the time required to reduce the distance [entre eux et la personne visée]. Therefore, possibly intervene physicallysaid agent Alex Odddintsov during a demonstration that took place Thursday morning.

The Bolawrap reduces the risk of injury during Emotion. Meanwhile, unpredictable situationsspecifies the Abbotsford police service in a press release.

Unlike traditional tools based on pain. an emotional reaction to obtain submission, Bolawrap uses an attachment mechanism to immobilize individuals. This considerably reduces the risk of injury to agents. the people on which it could be used and, ultimately, the publiccan also be read in the press release.

According to abbotsford police equipped new non agent Odddintsov, 6 copies of this weapon have already been used in the city for 10 months. They were used between 12 and 15 timesand without causing injuries, he reports.

We do not think that there is a unique tool. technique suitable for all situationshe said, explaining that it is agents who abbotsford police equipped new non are equipped with it to decide what are the right situations to use it.

The bolawrap is more effective on people who wear pants. because the rope is made to hang on to the fabric. However, it can be used on a person who carries shorts, but this increases the risk of injury.

Agents are trained to assess what the subject bears, his behavior, if the risk of injury is higher […]then make a decisionSpecifies Alex Odintsov. A day of training is necessary for an agent to be able to use it in the field.

The Abbotsford police ensure that they have submitted the deployment data to a provincial committee to obtain an authorization to use it. in accordance with the provincial standard in order of order.

Each copy of Bolawrap cost just over $ 2,000, and the cost of recharges varies abbotsford police equipped new non between $ 55 and $ 70, according to the police.

Abbotsford police equipped new non

Shared results in the United States

The use of this technology is new in Canada. but it already equips many police forces in the United States. Nevertheless, south of the border, the assessment of the use of this weapon is shared.

First of all because it has happened several times that its trigger does not work. In September 2024. several American media reported how a San Francisco police officer finally used his firearm after trying to use three times, without success, the Bolawrap.

The manufacturer of Bolawrap ensures that its use is effective in 80 % of cases.

It takes an individual who does not move. who is abbotsford police equipped new non not armed.

Then, because the circumstances allowing good use are special.

You do not want to approach an individual who has a knife in his hands. who moves to try this tool, unless you are supported by another tool, and there, we are going to talk about a gunanalyzed at the microphone of the program Western light Stéphane Wall, specialist in the use of force and former supervisor of the Montreal City Police Service.

In the state of Washington, the police of Seattle tested this tool between 2021 and 2023, before ending the pilot project. A report by the city inspector general published in February 2024 specifies that the Bolawrap only served 3 times in 2023.

A survey report published the same year by abbotsford police equipped new non the Office of Police Responsibility of Seattle described how a police officer tried to use the Bolawrap On a man armed with a knife. without success, before fire with his service weapon.

These examples do not predict the effectiveness. not of this tool in Abbotsford, but the former police officer Stéphane Wall does not see in what context his use would be relevant.

If an individual has no weapons in his hands. does not move, does not represent a threat, I do not see why we would use the Bolawrap. I think we will continue to chat with him. to say to him: “Listen, what is happening today, why are you in this state?”, And try a de-escalationhe believes.

With information from Kier Junos and the program Western light