BPSO adds grappler tool to manage vehicle pursuits

BENTON, La. -- The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office has added a new tool to some of its patrol vehicles that is designed to help deputies stop dangerous vehicle chases more safely.

The Grappler Police Bumper is mounted on the front of select patrol vehicles. It uses a heavy-duty nylon net to catch the rear wheel of a fleeing vehicle and help bring it to a controlled stop, according to the sheriff's office.

The device gives deputies another option for ending a pursuit without relying solely on maneuvers that can cause a fleeing vehicle to spin, lose control or roll over, particularly at higher speeds.

The sheriff's office said the system can potentially shorten the length of a chase by allowing deputies to stop the vehicle within seconds instead of allowing a pursuit to continue for miles.

Sheriff Julian Whittington said the new equipment gives deputies another option when dealing with dangerous drivers who refuse to stop.

“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,” Whittington said.

Deputies will be trained on how to properly use the system, which will be used as part of the sheriff's office's existing policies for vehicle pursuits.