Police pursuits are hardly the desired outcome. They’re dangerous and put the public, and officers, at risk. However, one company is aiming to change that with its latest contraption.
The Grappler Police Bumper wants to become the go-to way to stop suspects in their tracks by roping in the suspect vehicle at the rear tires. The gadget extends and wraps tow rope around the rear tires of the vehicle, ending any chance at wheelspin. With the wheels locked, the police vehicle can then force the vehicle to stop.
However, the solution raises plenty of questions. The debut video shows the Grappler in action, but deploying this at high speeds seems mighty dangerous, especially if the suspect were to begin swerving. That would effectively create a two-car spin rotation. Furthermore, locking the wheels up on a vehicle moving at high speeds never sounds like a great solution.
But, from what we see, it does work. According to Jalopnik, the company will hold live trials so the device can be seen in person. Check it out in the video above.
Comments
Deployment arm will need work. Not every patrol car can have that on the front end all the time. Lead pursuit cars can have trouble staying the lead car in high traffic and complex driving situations, so even a designated pursuit car, if that car even catches up in a chase, will have trouble being in a situation to deploy it.
If the deployment arm mechanism was smaller and more ingrated into the front end bash gaurd and strobe lights then it could be more realistic to arm more cruisers with the device.
But this is Murica, just shoot out the tires.
But if it’s one of those RV that’s the suspect?