You’ve seen the videos. A suspect is standing there, maybe yelling, maybe just confused, and suddenly—crack—a thin yellow string whips out of a device and wraps around their legs like a scene from a Batman comic. It looks fake. It looks like a movie prop. But it’s very real. These amazing strange rope police technologies are actually called remote restraint devices, and they are changing how patrol officers handle non-compliant people without resorting to pain-compliance or lethal force.
Basically, we’re talking about the BolaWrap.
Developed by Wrap Technologies, this gadget is essentially a handheld lasso launcher. It’s loud. It sounds like a firearm discharging because it uses a small partial charge to propel a Kevlar string at about 640 feet per second. Honestly, the first time you hear it, you’ll jump. But it isn't a weapon in the traditional sense. It’s a "remote handcuffs" system designed to buy time.
How These "Rope" Tools Actually Work
Most people think these tools are meant to replace the Taser. They aren't. A Taser works on the principle of Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI). It hurts. It overrides your nervous system and makes your muscles lock up. The BolaWrap, which is the primary "amazing strange rope" tool used by police departments from Los Angeles to Miami, doesn't use pain.
It uses a 8-foot Kevlar tether. At the ends of that tether are two small anchors—basically tiny fishhooks—that grab onto clothing. When the cord hits a person's legs or torso, the momentum causes the anchors to circle the body, wrapping the rope tight.
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It’s weirdly low-tech and high-tech at the same time.
The goal isn't to knock someone down. It's to create a "pause." If an officer is dealing with someone experiencing a mental health crisis or someone holding a knife who isn't charging yet, the "rope" gives the officer a window to move in and de-escalate without having to use a baton or a chemical spray.
Why the "Strange" Factor Matters for Safety
Police work is often about optics and psychology. When a suspect sees a red laser dot on their chest, they know a Taser or a gun is coming. That can sometimes escalate a situation because of the fear of pain. The BolaWrap uses a green line laser. It’s distinct. It signals a different kind of engagement.
There’s a specific term for this in policing: De-escalation through technology.
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In 2019, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) started a pilot program with these devices. They didn't work every single time. Sometimes the rope hits a heavy jacket and doesn't grab. Sometimes the suspect is running too fast. But when it works? It’s arguably the most "humanitarian" way to stop someone. No broken bones. No electricity through the heart. Just a very strong string.
The History of the "Man-Catcher" and Modern Iterations
We think of this as new, but it's really a digital-age version of the Japanese sasumata. Back in the Edo period, firefighters and samurai used long poles with U-shaped prongs to pin people against walls or to the ground. It was a "rope-adjacent" philosophy: restrain without wounding.
Today, we see more "strange" variations emerging.
- The NetGun: Some agencies, particularly in East Asia and occasionally for animal control in the US, use pneumatic net launchers. These are exactly what they sound like—a large nylon net that blankets a target.
- The SkyWall: This is a literal "rope police" tool for the sky. It’s a shoulder-mounted launcher that fires a net at illegal drones. It even has a parachute so the "captured" drone floats down safely.
- The Wrap 2.0: Newer versions of the BolaWrap have faster reload speeds and better laser sights, moving closer to that "sci-fi" aesthetic people find so jarring.
Are There Limitations?
Let’s be real. If someone is charging at an officer with a weapon, they aren't reaching for the "rope." They are reaching for their service weapon. These amazing strange rope police tools have a very narrow "Goldilocks" zone.
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- Distance: You have to be between 10 and 25 feet away. Too close and the rope doesn't have time to spread. Too far and it loses tension.
- Environment: If there are bushes, fences, or a crowd of people, the rope is just as likely to wrap around a fire hydrant as it is a suspect.
- Clothing: Thick leather bikers’ jackets or heavy winter parkas can sometimes defeat the tiny anchors.
Critics of the technology, including some civil liberties groups, argue that while it’s better than a gun, it still represents the "militarization" of everyday encounters. They worry that because the device is "low-pain," officers might be tempted to use it too quickly on people who are just being "annoying" rather than dangerous. It’s a valid concern. Any tool is only as good as the policy behind it.
The Future of Remote Restraint
We are likely going to see more of these "strange" deployments. Why? Because the cost of a police shooting—both in human life and in civil settlements—is astronomical. A BolaWrap device costs roughly $1,000, and each "rope" cartridge is about $30. Compare that to a multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit, and the math for city governments becomes very simple.
We’re also seeing a shift toward "Spider-Man" style tech in the private security sector. High-end campuses and hospitals are looking at these devices because they don't want the liability of "hands-on" security guards potentially injuring patients or students.
It’s a weird world where police officers are essentially carrying high-velocity lassos. But if it means someone in a mental health crisis gets to go to a hospital instead of a morgue because a Kevlar string tripped them up? That’s a win for technology.
Actionable Steps for Understanding and Oversight
If you are interested in how these tools are being used in your own community, there are concrete ways to find out. Most people don't realize that police equipment is usually a matter of public record.
- Check the Budget: Look at your local City Council or Police Commission meeting minutes. Search for "Wrap Technologies" or "non-lethal procurement."
- Ask About Use-of-Force Policy: Every department has a manual. You can often find these online. Look for where "Remote Restraint" or "BolaWrap" sits on their use-of-force continuum. Usually, it's placed just above verbal commands and below chemical sprays (pepper spray).
- Request Bodycam Footage: Many departments release "success" videos of these devices to justify the cost. Watch them critically. Look at the distance and the suspect's behavior to see if the tool actually prevented a more violent encounter.
- Follow the Training: Realize that "strange" tech requires specialized training. If a department buys the tools but doesn't fund the 8-hour certification course for every officer, the tool becomes a paperweight or, worse, a liability.
The "strange rope" isn't a magic fix for the complexities of modern policing, but it's a fascinating look at how physics and Kevlar are being used to try and move past the era of "bullets or batons." It’s quirky, it’s loud, and it looks like a toy, but for the person on the other end of that tether, it might be the thing that saves their life.