Morris County Sheriff Tests Less Painful Restraint Device

MORRISTOWN, NJ – Law enforcement officers across Morris County may soon be able to use a non-lethal method of restraining people without the use of pain tactics.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon recently arranged a presentation for Sheriffs from across New Jersey from Wrap Technologies how to use a new hand-held device designed to safely restrain individuals from a safe distance without the use of pain compliance measures.

Gannon was joined by Morris County Sheriff's Office Detective Sergeant Jamie Rae who offered to be "wrapped" by the BolaWrap device. The 12-ounce device's green laser aligned with their leg and, when activated, released a Kevlar cord that discharged at 513 feet per second to wrap around their legs using centrifugal force.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the sounds was a bit surprising and distracting, but neither of them were able to take more than a few shuffling steps.

"I like the concept of having less than lethal options," Gannon said in a prepared statement. "We don't want to hurt people, we never want to hurt people. But when called upon, we have to maintain law and order and restraint may be necessary."

The device has not been approved by the state Attorney General's office for use by police in New Jersey, but law enforcement officers across the state have received training on it or are testing its use.