Policy Text
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
GENERAL ORDER
Effective Date: April 8, 2024 Amends - GO 8.1.8 (December 8, 2021)
Number: 8.1.8
Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority:
HRD / Training
Subject: BolaWrap Remote Restraint Device
This order consists of the following:
1. Purpose
2. Policy
3. Definitions
4. Procedures
1. Purpose
To establish guidelines for the appropriate use of the BolaWrap Remote Restraint
Device (BolaWrap) .
2. Policy
Sworn agency personnel are authorized to utilize the BolaWrap in accordance with
this policy, after completion of training approved by the agency.
3. Definitions
A. BolaWrap – A hand -held remote restraint device that discharges a Kevlar
cord designed to restrain uncooperative subjects .
B. Cruiser Ready – An agency term used to describe the BolaWrap when it
has an operable cassette loaded, and the power switch is in the “off”
position.
C. Passive Physical Resistance – slight physical harm: A subject physically
refuses to comply or respond to a deputy’s command. He/she does not
make any attempt to physically defeat the actions of the deputy but forces
the deputy to employ physical maneuvers, or use a chemical agent to
establish control.
D. Secure Under Retention – A term that refers to a process of securing a
subject while the subject is entangled in the deployed Kevlar cord of a
BolaWrap .
8.1.8, Page 2 of 6
E. BolaWrap Instructors - Agen cy personnel who have received agency -
approved BolaWrap training and are certified by the manufacturer of the
BolaWrap to instruct agency personne l.
F. Master BolaWrap Instructors - authorized agency members who have
receive d advanced BolaWrap training and are certified by the manufacturer
of the agency -issued BolaWrap. They are authorized to teach agency
BolaWrap user and instructor courses.
G. Response to Resistance Matrix – a set of guidelines established to assist
agency personnel in their decision -making process regarding the
appropriate use of force.
4. Procedures
A. Authorized Users
1. Only sworn agency personnel who have successfully completed the
agency approved BolaWrap training, taught by a BolaWrap
instructor, shall be authorized to carry a BolaWrap.
2. Authorized users of the BolaWrap shall be required to recertify
annually.
3. BolaWrap s must be carried in an approved holster or safely and
securely stored in an agency assigned vehicle.
B. Guidelines for Use
1. All BolaWrap s will be clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate
them from any duty weapon or other device.
2. The BolaWrap may be used when it is reasonably necessary to
control a person who exhibits Passive Physical Resistance or higher
and has demonstrated, by wor ds or action, an intention to be violent
or to physically resist, and reasonably appears to present the
potential to harm law enforcement, themselves or others.
3. Deputies should not hold the BolaWrap device while simultaneously
holding a firearm or an electronic control device .
4. The BolaWrap device should only be used when its operator can
safely approach the subject within the operational range of the device
(i.e. 10 to 25 feet) . Although generally effective in controlling most
individuals, de puties should be aware that the BolaWrap may not
achieve the intended results and shall be prepared with other
apprehension options.
8.1.8, Page 3 of 6
5. When feasible , the BolaWrap should be utilized before other physical
control techniques or the use of intermediate w eapons, as defined
by GO 8.1.0 .
6. The deployment of the BolaWrap device on the following individuals
should be avoided unless exigent circumstances exist:
a. Individuals who are known to be pregnant.
b. Elderly individuals or obvious juveniles under 13 years of age,
when the juvenile poses an imminent threat of bodily harm to
themselves or others .
c. Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
d. Individuals detained in a p olice vehicle.
e. Individuals in danger of falling or becoming entangled in
machinery or heavy equipment, which could result in death or
serious bodily injury.
f. Individuals near any body of water that may present a
drowning risk.
g. Individuals whose position or activity may result in collateral
injury (e.g. falls from height, operating vehicles, operating
bicycle).
7. When a BolaWrap is successfully deployed, deputies should attempt
to secure under retention.
8. The BolaWrap is not intended to be a transportation restraint device
and shall not be used as a substitute for a hobble restraint device.
9. The use of a BolaWrap to psychologically torment, elicit statements
from, or to punish an individual is prohibited.
10. Agency personnel shal l only use the BolaWrap in accordance with
agency written directives and approved training.
C. Device Readiness
1. The BolaWrap device shall be carried in a Cruiser Ready position.
2. Agency personnel who are issued a BolaWrap shall be responsible
for