Oklahoma Police Department First In State To Use Grappler Bumpers

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Grappler bumpers, which have a net that wraps around the wheel of a fleeing car to stop a police chase quickly, still aren’t in high use among law enforcement agencies nationwide. However, the technology is spreading with the first police department in the state of Oklahoma to adopt it recently onboard.

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Broken Arrow Police Department is proudly showing off the Grappler Bumpers it has installed on all its fleet Chevy Tahoes and Ford F-150s. It released a demonstration video showing how the device works, as well as warning criminals that they will be chased and detained using the technology if the flee.

We’ve seen the Grappler Bumper bring police chases to a quick close both in Florida and Arizona. Hopefully this means we get some dashcam footage of the same thing going on in Oklahoma before too long, not to mention other states.

An officer can fold down two members on the Grappler Bumper, which has a web of straps made of woven nylon. Those straps then wrap around one of the rear tires on the fleeing vehicle, with a strap attaching the web to the bumper, allowing the pursuing cruiser to bring the chase to a controlled, rather sudden end.

One of the big concerns we’ve heard about the Grappler Bumper from law enforcement agencies is the cost. While to the average person the price of one doesn’t seem like much, they don’t seem to understand just how many vehicles are in a larger department’s fleet. Outfitting all or even enough units with one to make a difference in pursuits can be cost prohibitive.

That’s especially true after many police departments and sheriff’s offices had funding slashed during the wave of anti-police protests and political pressure. In other words, if you want your local law enforcement to have gadgets like these, you might want to think twice about squeezing them financially.

Image via Broken Arrow Police Department/Facebook

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