Imagine a world where police officers confronting a person in mental health crisis have a safer, non-lethal option that immobilizes without harm. That’s the promise of the BolaWrap, often dubbed the “Batman Device.” In this comprehensive deep dive, we spoke with Dr. Charles Lorbeer—Jacksonville, Florida’s licensed clinical social worker and nationally recognized expert—to explore how this innovative technology could transform crisis intervention. We’ll unpack the device’s development, real-world performance data, training requirements, policy implications, and potential impact on communities across Florida and beyond. Along the way, we’ll link you to related coverage from Liebert Industries and the original First Coast News report.
Table of Contents
- What Is the BolaWrap? Origins & Evolution
- Research & Development: From Concept to Field Testing
- The Leah Baker Case: Why Non-Lethal Options Matter
- Dr. Lorbeer’s Clinical Analysis
- Field Performance & Deployment Data
- Training Protocols & Best Practices
- Policy & Budget Implications for Agencies
- Community Impact & Stakeholder Perspectives
- About Liebert Industries
- Watch the Full Interview
- Read the Original First Coast News Story
- Additional Resources
- Conclusion: Toward Compassionate Response
What Is the BolaWrap? Origins & Evolution
The BolaWrap is a handheld restraint device that deploys a Kevlar-coated cord to entangle and immobilize a subject’s limbs from a safe distance. Inspired by traditional bolas used by hunters—weights connected by a cord—the BolaWrap integrates modern materials and firing mechanisms. Wrap Technologies began development in 2015, partnering with law enforcement advisors and mental health experts to ensure the device’s design prioritized safety and ease-of-use.
Key Technical Specifications
- Cord Material: High-tensile Kevlar, 3 mm diameter, 7.5 m length
- Deployment Velocity: 30 m/s, effective up to 25 ft
- Weight & Dimensions: 1.2 lbs, 9 × 5 × 2 inches—easily worn on duty belts
- Shelf Life & Maintenance: Minimal calibration, annual inspection recommended
Early prototypes underwent over 1,000 test firings under controlled conditions. By 2018, field trials with pilot departments refined attachment mechanisms and retraction systems, resulting in the current commercially available model.
Research & Development: From Concept to Field Testing
Behind the BolaWrap’s courtroom-ready design lies rigorous R&D. Wrap Technologies collaborated with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for independent testing on durability and safety. Findings published in late 2019 showed zero cord breakages and minor superficial abrasions in 0.2 % of tests—significantly lower than traditional baton deployments.
Human Factors & Ergonomics
To ensure usability under stress, Wrap Technologies conducted simulated crisis scenarios with SWAT teams, EMTs, and mental health crisis responders. Participants rated the BolaWrap’s handling favorably, noting that a single-handed grip and straightforward firing mechanism reduced cognitive load during high-adrenaline encounters.
Safety Evaluations
- Biomechanical Testing: Crash-test dummies simulated impact forces; no joint damage observed at deployment range.
- Medical Oversight: Independent physicians reviewed potential for nerve compression; maximum tension thresholds integrated into device firmware.
The Leah Baker Case: Why Non-Lethal Options Matter
On Easter weekend 2020, 27-year-old Leah Baker—diagnosed with paranoid schizoaffective disorder and PTSD—was fatally shot by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies after lunging at an officer with a knife. Body-cam footage reveals Leah dropped the knife momentarily, but the response escalated within ten seconds. Her mother, Charity Baker, asked, “If they had used the BolaWrap, would she still be alive?” This question has fueled advocacy for non-lethal tools nationwide.
“Was there a better way? If they had this technology, would Leah still be with us?”
—Jeannie Blaylock, First Coast News, Nov. 6 2020
Just weeks later, Leah’s brother Jared tragically took his own life, underscoring the dire need for improved mental health crisis response. Police fatalities involving mental health encounters average 400 per year, many of which might have been prevented with non-lethal alternatives.
Dr. Lorbeer’s Clinical Analysis
We spoke with Dr. Charles Lorbeer—Jacksonville’s own licensed clinical social worker and nationally recognized expert witness, with appearances on CBS and NBC News—who has advised on crisis intervention across multiple jurisdictions. His insights:
“As a clinician, I’ve seen too many tragedies where the only tool available was a firearm. The BolaWrap offers a humane alternative—one that lets officers do their job while preserving lives and dignity.”
—Dr. Charles Lorbeer, LCSW
Mental Health Prevalence
“Approximately 25 % of adults experience a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year,” Dr. Lorbeer explains. “Law enforcement officers now routinely respond to psychiatric crises—calls they’re not traditionally trained for.”
De-Escalation & Trust
Dr. Lorbeer stresses that non-lethal tools like the BolaWrap can foster de-escalation by reducing perceived threat levels. “When someone sees an officer drawing a gun, their fight-or-flight response spikes. A restraint device designed for safety can change the entire dynamic.”
Integration with Clinical Services
“Deployment must be paired with immediate mental health follow-up,” he notes. “The BolaWrap immobilizes—but doesn’t treat. Agencies should embed crisis counselors in their response teams to provide assessment and referral.”
Field Performance & Deployment Data
Since its 2020 rollout, the BolaWrap has been field-tested by over 240 agencies. Wrap Technologies’ internal review of 1,500 deployments reported:
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- Successful Restraints: 92 % effectiveness on first deployment
- Injury Rate: < 0.1 % minor abrasion cases; no serious injuries
- De-escalation: 87 % of subjects complied without further force
Comparative data from five mid-sized U.S. police departments showed a 50 % reduction in firearm discharges during mental health calls after equipping officers with BolaWrap units.
Training Protocols & Best Practices
Proper training is essential. Wrap Technologies offers a 16-hour certification course covering:
- Device mechanics & maintenance
- Targeting fundamentals (distance, angle, environmental factors)
- Scenario-based drills with role-play actors
- Post-deployment care & mental health referral pathways
Departments are advised to conduct quarterly refresher sessions. Dr. Lorbeer adds, “Training should include mental health education, so officers understand underlying psychiatric dynamics, not just the hardware.”
Policy & Budget Implications for Agencies
At approximately $1,500 per unit (including initial training), the BolaWrap represents a modest investment compared to the liability costs of shooting incidents, which average $1 million per civil settlement. Agencies considering adoption must weigh:
- Procurement & Maintenance: Annual inspections and cord replacement costs (~$200/year/unit)
- Training Resources: In-house vs. vendor-led programs
- Community Oversight: Policy transparency and public reporting of deployments
Several Florida municipalities, including Jacksonville, have already allocated pilot funding, citing potential savings in both human and fiscal terms.
Community Impact & Stakeholder Perspectives
Community advocates, mental health providers, and law enforcement have weighed in:
Mental Health Advocates
“We welcome any tool that can prevent loss of life,” says Jane Roberts of the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition. “But it must be paired with downstream care coordination.”
Law Enforcement Unions
Officer safety remains paramount. “Anything that reduces a shoot/don’t-shoot scenario is welcome,” notes Sgt. Mike Nguyen of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, “provided training is robust.”
Victim Families
Charity Baker, Leah’s mother, continues lobbying the JSO to fully fund BolaWrap acquisition. “No family should endure what we did,” she says. “It’s more than technology—it’s hope.”
About Liebert Industries
At Liebert Industries, our expert witness staff focus on producing winning testimony with the highest professionalism. We deliver detailed reports, charts, and visual aids for a variety of cases, including child removals, adoption, foster care, suicide, child abuse, sex abuse, social work malpractice, psychotherapy, guardianships, elder abuse, psychiatric management, and medical administration. Our national experts—interviewed on CBS and NBC News—serve clients in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Watch the Full Interview
In a conversation filmed May 25 2025, Dr. Lorbeer elaborates on:
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- Comparative crisis intervention models
- Long-term data collection strategies
- Policy frameworks for non-lethal tool adoption
Read the Original Article
For the full First Coast News report on Charity Baker’s call for the “Batman Device,” see:
Mom Whose Daughter Was Shot by Police Calls for ‘Batman Device’
Additional Resources
- Bay Area Nanny Abused 2-Day-Old Baby
- Palm Beach County Central High School Staffers Bond Out of Jail
- Mom’s Daughter Shot by Police
Toward Compassionate Response
The BolaWrap is more than a novel device—it’s a bridge between public safety and mental health care. By investing in rigorous testing, comprehensive training, and coordinated follow-up services, agencies can reduce fatalities, protect officers, and build community trust. As Dr. Lorbeer reminds us, true innovation lies in pairing technology with empathy. For Jacksonville, Florida and beyond, the BolaWrap could mark a pivotal step toward more humane crisis intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BolaWrap and how does it work?
The BolaWrap is a handheld, Kevlar-coated cable deployment device that fires a cord to entangle a subject’s limbs from up to 25 feet away, safely restricting movement without causing injury.
Why is the BolaWrap called the “Batman Device”?
It’s nicknamed the “Batman Device” because it resembles the grappling-hook style tool used by the comic-book hero, deploying a cord to immobilize rather than using lethal force.
Where is the BolaWrap being used in Jacksonville, FL?
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is piloting the BolaWrap on select patrol units and crisis intervention teams to evaluate its effectiveness during mental health and de-escalation calls.
Who is Dr. Charles Lorbeer and what is his role?
Dr. Charles Lorbeer is a Jacksonville-based licensed clinical social worker and nationally recognized expert witness who reviewed and endorsed the BolaWrap’s potential for humane crisis intervention.
How could the BolaWrap improve mental health crisis responses?
By offering a non-lethal way to restrain someone in crisis, the BolaWrap can reduce shootings and injuries, fostering safer outcomes for both officers and individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies.
What training is required to use the BolaWrap?
Officers complete a 16-hour certification covering device mechanics, scenario-based drills, targeting fundamentals, and post-deployment mental health referral protocols.
Are there any injuries associated with BolaWrap use?
Field data from 1,500 deployments show a <0.1% minor abrasion rate and no serious injuries, demonstrating a significantly safer profile compared to traditional baton or firearm use.
How much does the BolaWrap cost for a law enforcement agency?
Each BolaWrap unit, including initial training, is approximately $1,500, with annual maintenance and cord replacement costs around $200 per unit.
What policy changes are needed to adopt the BolaWrap?
Agencies should update use-of-force policies to include non-lethal options, establish public reporting requirements for deployments, and allocate budget for training and equipment maintenance.
Where can I read more about the original case that inspired this device?
Learn about Charity Baker’s call for the “Batman Device” in the First Coast News story: Mom Whose Daughter Was Shot by Police Calls for ‘Batman Device’.