BUFFALO, N.Y. — The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Department announced Monday that they are looking into different non-lethal tools for the department, specifically a non-lethal restraint device known as BolaWrap.
BolaWrap is a tool that has a cord with tethered fish hooks at the end, which wrap around a person's waist and knees to restrain them. The tool allows police officers to restrain resisting subjects from a distance without using deadly force.
During a press conference Monday afternoon, the city demonstrated the device.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the device could be used on someone who is non-compliant, violent, in crisis or using substances. Brown says this is just one of a number of devices the department is exploring, along with tasers.
“We thought it was critically important to open up this presentation to the public to let our community know some of the things that Buffalo Police are considering,” Brown said.
Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo said BolaWrap is being used by more than 200 police departments and costs around $1,000 per device.
How does this differ from a taser? Rinaldo says there's no pain involved.
“As opposed to a taser which releases an electric shock in the attempt to get compliance, the taser doesn’t necessarily restrain an individual, it’s a pain compliance device that then seeks compliance from the individual," Rinaldo said. "The difference with this weapon is there is no pain, there is no compliance, you are automatically restraining somebody against their will.”
Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen said he has been researching non-lethal devices for the Buffalo Police Department for months.
“I was pleased to see that the administration is looking at different tools," Pridgen said. "I still would like to see a combination of tools on the street because everything doesn’t work for everybody, so I would still like to see the tasers on the street as well as another approved device so that officers do not have to resort from a voice command to a gun."
The department is looking into BolaWrap as an option, but the device has not been purchased at this time.