The Los Angeles Police Department introduced a new restraint technique it says is safer and will reduce the number of use-of-force incidents.
Officers and other community members learned about the “SafeWrap” system at the LAPD Ahmanson Recruit Training Center on Monday.
The system was invented by Rener Gracie, an instructor and coach from the Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy. Rener and Ryon Gracie provided the training to officers.
“When I first conceived the ‘Safewrap’ system, the initial hold was conceived in 30 minutes,” he told KNX News’ Special Correspondent Steve Gregory. “15 minutes after that, I figured out how to handcuff someone from lateral restraint, something that had never been done before, and then over the next six months, we kept adding new pieces to the system.”
Rener said the system was first considered after UC Irvine Medical Center needed a way to control violent patients without injuring them. Officers with the NYPD adopted the technique in 2024.
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“For the first time ever, there's a system of restraint that has healthcare-grade safety considerations, law enforcement-grade effectiveness. How crazy is that?” he said. “It meets both world requirements and there's never been a technique that meets those requirements in tandem.”
Sergeant Cleon Joseph with the LAPD said he first learned of the SafeWrap through jiu-jitsu classes.
“The instructors, they're learning the fine tunes, but if you get on the field and forget, you can just learn three core positionings and it's a win,” he told Gregory. "If you can just hold the subject down to buy yourself time for help to come, it's a win for everybody. If you're calmly taking the subject into custody without causing positional asphyxiation, that's a win for the department. We’re actually helping each other.”
Joseph added that LAPD trainers are getting certified and that eventually all new recruits will be trained along with veteran officers.
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