Sheriff’s Office Approved to Spend $116K for BolaWrap and Software

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to spend more than $116,000 from Law Enforcement Restricted Funds on a new less-lethal force option and software for internal accountability.

Chief Deputy Steven Nunn presented the funding request during the June 2 meeting of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners. 

The Sheriff’s office was approved to spend $54,039 on 25 less-lethal "BolaWrap 150" devices, along with cartridges and training for personnel. The handheld tool, manufactured by WRAP Technologies, is designed to restrain individuals using a Kevlar tether rather than pain-based compliance tools like tasers or beanbags.

“The BolaWrap is a device that deploys a 7.5-foot Kevlar tether with hooks on it,” Nunn explained to commissioners. “Where a lot of your less-lethal [tools] like tasers and beanbags use pain compliance, this doesn’t. It restricts movement — it wraps the person — and allows deputies a few seconds to get in there and gain control.”

A promotional video from WRAP Technologies shows it in action. 

According to WRAP Technologies’ website, the BolaWrap 150 is used in more than 1,000 jurisdictions worldwide and is designed to safely restrain individuals through “multi-sensory cognitive disruption,” including light, sound and tactile feedback. 

Nunn says he was shot with the device during a recent demonstration, commenting about the sound. 
“It also uses a distraction technique, it’s very loud when you deploy it,” Nunn said. “I thought someone had messed up and gotten the wrong device and that was going to bring me to an end, but that's not what occurred,” he said, laughing as he finished the sentence. 

When asked by Commissioner Chairman Darrell L. Frye whether the goal is to eventually equip every officer with a BolaWrap, Nunn said that would be the plan, after a trial.  

“That would eventually be our goal. First, we want to deploy them strategically in the different divisions and ensure it’s going to do what we need it to do.”

The remaining $62,380 would go to two new software platforms: IAPro, an internal affairs program designed to document and manage officer conduct, disciplinary cases and critical incidents, and Blueteam, a use-of-force tracking software.

The total funding request of $116,419.18 will be drawn from the Law Enforcement restricted Fund, also known as the “drug fund,” which is made up a portion of civil asset forfeiture proceeds seized by the Sheriff's Office and does not require taxpayer funding. Commissioners approved the request that night. No date was available for when the Sheriff’s Office is expected to order or receive the devices.