WrapStrap™ Restraint System Use Policy
101.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the authorized use of WrapStrap™ restraint device for lawful restraint of subject persons by qualified law enforcement or other authorized personnel to effectuate a lawful objective in detaining or arresting a subject person under color of authority and only for lawful reasons.
101.2 POLICY
Consistent with the above-stated purpose, Gracie Global, LLC (d.b.a. Gracie University) has developed the WrapStrap™ restraint device. It is the Policy of Gracie University that the WrapStrap™ restraint device be used in accordance with these policy guidelines and consistent with the core training tenets of Gracie University, specifically those outlined in the SafeWrap™ system.
It is the express Policy of Gracie University that the WrapStrap™ restraint system be used only for lawful purposes and only by properly trained persons (“End-User”). The WrapStrap™ restraint device shall never be used contrary to any local, state, or federal law, or any other established written policy in effect with any End-User's employing agency / entity. It is further stated that this Policy shall be construed and applied consistent with the guidelines and training requirements for the Gracie University SafeWrap™ system. Neither the WrapStrap™ nor the SafeWrap™ system shall be used in any way to punish, to display authority, or for purposes of making threats or intimidation as an unlawful show of force.
An End-User is authorized to train others how to use the WrapStrap™ restraint device only when that person has (1) successfully completed the SafeWrap™ Instructor Certification Program that contains the WrapStrap™ restraint device training, and (2) is employed by or is otherwise an authorized member of any organization or other entity that is licensed to use the SafeWrap™ system.
Use of the WrapStrap™ shall be limited to those persons who have (1) successfully completed WrapStrap™ restraint device training administered by a SafeWrap™ Certified Instructor, and (2) who are employees or authorized
101.3 USE OF THE WRAPSTRAP™ RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Only persons who have successfully completed the WrapStrap™ restraint device training administered by a SafeWrap™ Certified Instructor are authorized to use the WrapStrap™ as described in this policy. The WrapStrap™ must be, before it is used, approved by the employing agency/entity of the End-User. It is the policy of Gracie University that intended End-Users of the WrapStrap™ consult with their employing agency/entity to confirm that the WrapStrap™ is an authorized restraint device. Additionally, each End-User must be authorized by their employing agency/entity to carry and use the WrapStrap™. This authorization must include verification that the End-User has successfully completed the required WrapStrap™ restraint device training program.
First, when deciding whether to use the WrapStrap™, the End-User shall carefully balance the concern for their safety, and the safety of others, with other relevant factors that include, but are not limited to:
- The totality of the circumstances leading up to the perceived need to apply the WrapStrap™ device.
- A reasonable belief that any other means of restraint would likely be ineffective and/or infeasible based on the totality of the circumstances of the situation.
- Any other applicable written policies by which the End-User is required to abide.
- The nature and intensity of the subject person's demeanor and behavior, particularly the reasonably perceived level of their physical resistance.
- Any reasonably perceived threat, that if the subject were to escape, they would pose an imminent and substantial risk of injury equivalent to for example, serious bodily injury, great bodily injury, aggravated bodily injury, substantial bodily harm, grievous bodily injury, and/or death to any person.
- The age and health of the subject person, as known to or reasonably perceived by the End-User.
- Whether the person is known to be pregnant.
- Whether it is known or should reasonably be apparent that the person has any developmental, psychological, or other physical or health-related disability.
- Whether other relevant
101.3.1 RESTRAINT OF SUBJECT PERSONS, GENERALLY
This policy requires that all End-Users read and familiarize themselves with their employing agency / entity's written policies concerning their authority to restrain subject individuals and to always act in accordance with said policies, and all local, state, and federal law.
Situations may arise where it may be lawful and reasonable to restrain a subject individual with the WrapStrap™ in order to afford the End-User the means to reasonably control the subject individual's freedom of movement in order to affect some lawful objective.
Once the WrapStrap™ is applied to a subject individual, the End-User should be constantly evaluating the continuing need for the restraint and should continuously observe the subject individual for signs of medical distress.
It is the End-User's sole responsibility to weigh the safety interests at hand against the continuing need for restraint of the subject individual.
The End-User shall immediately remove the restraint of the subject individual if it is determined that the subject individual is experiencing a medical emergency, and/or if the End-User determines, in their sole discretion, that the continued restraint of the subject individual poses a greater risk to the subject individual's safety than the risk of the subject individual regaining their freedom of movement.
101.3.2 RESTRAINT OF PREGNANT WOMEN
Women who are known to be pregnant should be restrained in the least restrictive manner that is effective for achieving safety concerns and under observation. The WrapStrap™ is designed to mitigate against prolonged prone restraint of the subject individual. However, there is no inherent guarantee that any subject individual restrained in a WrapStrap™ can never end up in a prone position for a sustained period of time. Therefore, it is emphasized that the End-User take care to monitor and observe closely the restrained subject and take all reasonable steps to guard against, as in the case of pregnancy, the subject person from sustaining a prone position while restrained in the WrapStrap™.
The WrapStrap™ restraint device is not recommended for use against women who are in active labor.
101.4 APPLICATION OF WRAPSTRAP™ RESTRAINT DEVICE
The WrapStrap™ may be used to restrain a subject person, including those posing an immediate danger to themselves, when it is reasonable to do so during the course of detention / arrest / transport, or another lawful objective. Factors that may determine whether use of the WrapStrap™ is appropriate:
- Whether it is reasonable to believe that the End-User or others could likely be exposed to injury due to the subject person's behavior.
- Whether it is reasonably necessary to protect the suspect from his/her own actions.
- Whether it is reasonably necessary to avoid damage to property.
101.4.1 GUIDELINES FOR USE OF WRAPSTRAP™
If feasible, the End-User should notify the appropriate person(s), e.g., a supervisor, of the intent to apply the WrapStrap™ restraint device. In all cases, this policy recommends that the End-User notify the appropriate personnel, e.g., a supervisor, as soon as feasible after the application of the WrapStrap™.
Once applied, absent a medical or other emergency, the WrapStrap™ should remain in place until the subject person no longer appears, based on the totality of the circumstances, to pose a threat of harm.
Once secured, the subject person should be placed in a “rest” position consistent with WrapStrap™ training guidelines. Again, the WrapStrap™ is designed to mitigate against but is not guaranteed to prevent a subject person from rolling out of the “rest” position and into a prone position for an extended period. This policy requires that End-Users continuously monitor the restrained subject, maintaining vigilant awareness of the subject's condition and, if necessary, the surrounding environment. End-Users must take reasonable steps to prevent the subject from going into a prone position for an extended period, while also remaining alert to any potential threats or changes in the situation that may require immediate action.
The restrained person should be continually monitored while restrained. The End-User should look for signs of labored breathing, or other signs of medical distress, and take appropriate steps to relieve and minimize any obvious factors contributing to this condition to include summoning emergency medical assistance.
When transported by ambulance/paramedic unit, this policy recommends that the restrained person should be accompanied by the End-User or a similarly qualified and trained WrapStrap™ until it is safe to remove the device from the subject individual.
101.5 TRAINING
This policy requires that all End-Users of the WrapStrap™ undergo and successfully complete Gracie University WrapStrap™ restraint device training, administered and instructed by an End-User who is a SafeWrap™ Certified Instructor, before engaging in the use or attempted use of a WrapStrap™ device against a subject person.
