Cuero PD to begin using 'The WRAP' safety restraint

By Sonya Timpone

The Cuero Record

The Cuero Police Department now has a new tool to help de-escalate violent or potentially violent situations with combative individuals or people with mental health episodes.

“The WRAP” restraint, manufactured by Safe Restraints, Inc., was invented by law enforcement and medical professionals to improve the method of safely restraining an individual. It is designed to allow personnel to quickly stop conflicts, achieve faster de-escalation, and provide medical care while a subject is secured in an upright/seated position of respiratory recovery; recognized as one of the safest positions for oxygen recovery while creating no pressure against the chest.

“The department has been handling an increase in mental health patients and more combative subjects, said Cuero PD Captain Steven Ellis.

“Recently, we had an individual that was in a mental crisis and we needed to transport them to San Antonio for mental health evaluation. We made it about five blocks and they were already trying to kick the windows out in the patrol unit. We were able to contact Yoakum PD and they came over and helped us out using the device. That is where we saw the first use of ‘The WRAP’.

Following that incident, the department contacted Jay Condie at the County Attorney’s Office hoping for help with funding.

“My office maintains a forfeiture account which consists primarily of funds received from the sale or disposition of seized property such as gambling equipment and firearms. From time to time local law enforcement agencies will reach out to me regarding items that would assist them in the performance of their duties but for which they do not have the available funding.

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