GRAPPLERS AND TETHERS FOR PURSUIT VEHICLES TO MITIGATE RISK AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is a law enforcement agency and is the sixth largest county in Washington State with a population exceeding 300,000. TCSO leadership provides a climate and culture that nourishes proactive problem-solving initiatives. TCSO has achieved a high level of automation in recent years and continues to seek modern and innovative service enhancements. TCSO would like to expand it's pursuit immobilization system to help reduce and/or eliminate the risk associated with high-speed pursuits.

The technology we would like to employ is the Grappler Police Bumper pursuit technology.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is seeking BJA Grant funding in the amount of $19,532.09 for the purchase, installation, and implementation of the Grappler Police Bumper pursuit immobilization system (2 units).

The Grappler Police Bumper is a United States-based manufacturer exclusively for law enforcement/public safety agencies. This patented and proprietary technology is designed to de-escalate high-risk vehicle events and prevent unnecessary injury, property damage, or loss of life by stopping the pursuit. Grappler is currently used at various agency levels (local, county, state), and is directly attributable to saving countless lives.

The Grappler is a bumper-mounted net system that allows the deputy to approach the fleeing vehicle at slow and high speeds. The deputy can remotely lower the net system into position and deploy it to the rear tire of the fleeing vehicle. Once deployed, the net will wrap around the tire and axle causing the fleeing vehicle to stop the entrapped wheel from forward movement. The deployed Grappler net is tethered to the patrol vehicle frame. The deputy can slow the entangled fleeing vehicle to a safe stop. The net and tether can be released remotely if the officer deems a safety concern.

The Grappler has been widely used and has reduced risk to the public, deputies, and the suspect. The Grappler reduces the property damage caused by other pursuit technology that we currently use.

The Grappler system will assist in mitigating the risk to the public for these pursuit-related events. This technology will play a pivotal role in shaping our agency’s policy and use of force continuum, resulting in the safest possible outcome for deputies, suspects, and the public. The unmitigated risks associated with pursuits are almost incalculable. Risk management fiscal assessments suggest that fewer high-risk events predictably lead to lower liability insurance premiums and civil litigation claims.