A less-lethal device designed to provide law enforcement officials with another tool to control subjects in situation of a mental health crisis – minus the pain – was on display at the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Thursday.

BolaWrap – a hand-held remote restraint device discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar tether at 513 feet per second to entangle and individual at a range of 10-to-25-feet.

“We hope it helps law enforcement get people who need help – instead of injuring them,” Tim Szymanski said, “We feel officers can have it out in the field – readily deployable – and that will help them – instead of having to use impact weapons, chemical sprays, irritants … to get them in custody.

“Our goal is to end the encounter – safely.”

Tim Szymanski is a representative of BolaWrap – WRAP Technologies, Incorporated.

“It’s non-invasive, John Mehr said, “When we answer the call … mental health or drugs, (tether) goes up to 25 feet, (so) it helps protect the officer, who doesn’t have to get right upon the male or female, who (might) fight back.”

The tether wraps around the legs or body and hooks – which are not part of the restraint – lock into the individual’s clothing.

A cutter is used to release the tether.

“You can control their movements, their hands,” Szymanski said, “They can’t move them because they are wrapped up, and (officer) can take control of the situation.”

The cost of the instrument is $1,100 and $30 for each cartridge.

Mehr said he hopes to have the BolaWrap available for each of his deputies.

(PHOTO: Tim Szymanski, a representative of BolaWrap – WRAP Technologies, Incorporated, left, and John Mehr, Madison County Sheriff)