A Bellingham Police vehicle uses a Grappler Police Bumper during training to catch the rear wheel of a fleeing vehicle and bring it to a controlled stop. (Photo courtesy of the Bellingham Police Department)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Police officers now have a new tool designed to bring dangerous vehicle pursuits to a faster and more controlled end.
The Bellingham Police Department announced Thursday that its Emergency Vehicle Operations instructors recently completed initial training with the Grappler Police Bumper. The pursuit intervention device launches a heavy-duty net from the front of a police vehicle and wraps it around the rear wheel of a fleeing vehicle.
Once the net catches the wheel, a tether connects the fleeing vehicle to the police vehicle behind it. The officer can then slow both vehicles and bring the pursuit to a controlled stop.
“The Grappler Police Bumper [is] a pursuit intervention device which allows officers to quickly end dangerous pursuits,” BPD said.
Device Offers Another Way to End a Pursuit
Police traditionally rely on spike strips or a precision immobilization technique, commonly called a PIT maneuver, to stop fleeing drivers. However, both methods have limitations and can create additional risks at high speeds or in heavy traffic.
The Grappler gives trained officers another option. Instead of deflating tires or forcing a vehicle to spin, the device targets one of the fleeing vehicle’s rear wheels.
Officers must position the Grappler-equipped police vehicle directly behind the fleeing vehicle before deploying the net. Therefore, the device will not work in every pursuit or under every road condition.
BPD has not announced how many vehicles received the equipment or when officers will begin carrying it during regular patrols.
Public Safety Grant Paid for New Equipment
BPD purchased the Grappler systems with money from a public safety grant established under Washington House Bill 2015, according to the department.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the legislation in May 2025. It created a statewide grant program for local and tribal law enforcement agencies while also allowing local governments to impose a 0.1% sales and use tax for criminal justice programs.
Earlier this year, BPD identified the grant program as one source of funding it planned to pursue as equipment and operating costs continued to rise.
The department has now completed the first stage of instructor training. Those instructors can help prepare additional officers to use the devices safely during actual pursuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Grappler is a pursuit intervention device mounted to the front of a police vehicle. It deploys a net that wraps around a fleeing vehicle’s rear wheel and connects that vehicle to the pursuing police vehicle with a tether.
The Grappler aims to stop a vehicle without intentionally forcing it into a spin. Once the net catches a rear wheel, the pursuing officer can slow both vehicles and guide them toward a controlled stop.
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