The Douglas County Sheriff's Office did some training on Wednesday with the Grappler Police Bumper which is meant to stop cars during a chase.
They originally began using the Grappler Police Bumper in June of last year, and so far they have only had to use it one time, and it was a successful use of the grappler.
The Grappler Police Bumper attaches to the front bumper of a vehicle, and at the push of a button, it shoots a net out that wraps around the tire of the car being pursued.
Instructors we spoke with say this device aims to be a safer option for police agencies when trying to stop a vehicle.
"With Grappler we are actually attached to the vehicle we are trying to stop so the control and the safety for the public and the safety for the officer and just the environment we are able to pull that thing to a stop. With pits and rams, we are not quite sure," said Tim Essick, Installation and Training Manager for Grappler Police Bumper.
It takes about five to ten minutes to get the net up set up, and each net can be used one time before it has to be replaced.
Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were able to learn how to set it up, and then each deputy got to use the grappler on a moving car two times.
Cars were traveling up to 40 miles per hour today, before deputies deployed the grappler.
Once a vehicle is stopped, the tether attached to the net and the tire keeps a tight grip, until the deputy is ready to unhook it, and let it go.
In order to get a successful grip of the tire, deputies have to get pretty close to the car they are chasing, but once they get close enough, the Grappler is able to stop vehicles of all different sizes.
By the end of the day on Thursday, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office will have 12 more units fully trained, and ready to use the Grappler at any time.
