Somerton police officers have a new safe restraint device

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Somerton City Council recently approved the use of a new device for Somerton police, intended to reduce the risk of injuries for both suspects and officers.

This device called the BolaWrap shoots out a Kevlar rope which ties onto the individual's legs or arms letting them be taken into custody safely.

The Somerton Police Department Lieutenant shared what exactly makes it stand out.

“So the sound when it is deployed creates a significant sound and distracts them for a moment and gives us the opportunity to close in that gap," stated Lt. Jose Garza, Somerton Police Department.

The device does not cause any pain.

“If we can minimize the risk of injury, to those that were trying to help at the end of the day. That's a great opportunity to do so," said Lt. Garza.

The CEO of Wrap Technologies said there's deeper meaning behind this device.

“So the genesis of the technology is, we can do better as a society. You know it's 2023, we have to look at tools that allow us to look at to be able to get individuals the help they need,” explained Kevin Mullins, Wrap Technologies CEO.

Somerton police hopes to have their officers start using this tool by the end of September.