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Commission approves 12 BolaWrap devices for police, asks chief to prepare broader equipment package
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Summary
Council approved a lease covering half of a proposed BolaWrap deployment (12 devices) and asked police leadership to return with a prioritized equipment package (tasers, rifles, shotguns, bean bags) and cost options to address other officer needs; the commission also authorized solicitation for six replacement pickup trucks.
The Rio Grande City Commission authorized a two-year lease for 12 BolaWrap devices — half the original 24-unit proposal — for the Police Department and asked department leadership to prepare a bundled equipment proposal covering other needs such as additional tasers, patrol rifles and non-lethal shotgun options.
Chief Jose Solisent explained the BolaWrap device is a non-lethal restraint tool that projects a tether to restrain an individual from a short distance. He described it as an additional de‑escalation option, particularly on calls involving mental-health crises; the department reported a marked increase in mental-health–related calls year to date.
Council discussion focused on balancing de-escalation tools against basic tactical equipment the officers had identified as priorities. Commissioners asked the chief to prepare a prioritized ‘‘package’’ that would include a mix of equipment (tasers, AR-style rifles, shotguns with beanbag rounds and BolaWraps) and to provide cost estimates; several commissioners said they prefer splitting available funds across items to maximize officer readiness.
In the same portion of the meeting the commission authorized staff to solicit bids for six replacement pickup trucks (five for police use, one for animal control). The vehicles were requested as standard, V‑8 pickups that would be used for patrol and take-home assignments; staff said the solicitation is intended to allow local dealers to compete, using regional fleet options where available.
The motion on the BolaWrap lease was recorded as carryied with a tie to the condition that the chief present the revised equipment package and updated lease quote; the initial lease payment schedule as submitted would have started with a roughly $20,000 payment, and the commission instructed staff to obtain a revised quote for 12 units.
No changes to officer staffing or operating budgets were approved at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with precise pricing and a staged procurement plan for final vote at a subsequent meeting.
