The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office has adopted a new pursuit-management tool designed to give deputies an additional, safer option for ending vehicle pursuits.
The Grappler Police Bumper is mounted to the front of select patrol vehicles and allows deputies to perform a tactical vehicle intervention without relying solely on traditional pursuit-ending techniques. The system deploys a heavy-duty nylon net that captures the fleeing vehicle’s rear wheel and locks the axle, allowing deputies to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
The Grappler provides an alternative to the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, which can result in a vehicle spinning, losing control or rolling over, particularly at higher speeds. By capturing the rear wheel, the Grappler is designed to reduce those risks while allowing deputies to shorten the duration of a pursuit, potentially ending a dangerous vehicle chase within seconds rather than allowing it to continue for miles at high speeds.
Sheriff Whittington says “this new equipment gives deputies another option when faced with a dangerous fleeing driver. We hope we never have to use tools like this, but when a situation does arise, we want our deputies to have the safest and most practical options available. Our goal is to protect everyone involved; our deputies, the driver of the fleeing vehicle, passengers and innocent motorists and pedestrians who may be in or around the area.”
The Grappler Police Bumper is intended to complement the Sheriff’s Office’s existing pursuit policies and training. Deputies will receive training on the proper deployment and use of the system.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate technology and equipment that can improve officer safety while reducing risks to the public during high-risk incidents.
Photos: Courtesy of The Bossier Sheriff’s Office
