Casselberry Police Introduce Innovative Full-Body Harness for Safer Restraints: Learn How It Works

CASSELBERRY, Fla. – The Casselberry Police Department has introduced a new approach to restraining individuals who resist arrest, marking a significant stride in law enforcement practices.

A new full-body device not only safeguards officers and suspects, but also protects bystanders.

Previously, officers primarily utilized leg restraints, which allowed the upper body freedom of movement and carried inherent risks. With the implementation of the full-body harness known as the “Wrap,” the department aims to elevate safety levels for all parties involved.

Casselberry Police Department Cpl. Joanne Stanley explained how it works.

According to Stanley, “It’s a restraining device that we use out on patrol for the safety of the officer and the individual that’s under arrest or in protective custody. This includes scenarios involving intoxicated individuals, those under the influence of substances, or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Stanley said the first time an officer used the Wrap was on a suspect resisting arrest for drunk driving. The device forced the suspect to calm himself.

“They eventually calm down, mainly because of exhaustion,” Stanley said. “When someone is in a mental state their adrenaline is high, they can’t move their legs or body or heads so they eventually sit there and think about it and the adrenaline goes down and it they just calm down.”

Previously, the department used the “Hobble,” a leg-only restraint.

It “could be dangerous because the person can still move their upper body,” according to Stanley.

The Wrap is a three-part device. It involves strapping together the legs, wrapping the arms in a full-body sleeve and placing a helmet on the individual’s head.

Cpl. Juan Saavedra teaches other officers how to safely use the Wrap.

“If we can’t restrain the suspect what’s to say they can’t get away from our grasp and decide to hurt someone out in the community,” Saavedra said.

Using the Wrap, two officers can lift the restrained individual into a patrol car.

So far, the police department has given one Wrap to each patrol unit and will put more in more patrol cars to make sure each unit has several available at all times.