Baltimore Police Adopt New Restraint Technique to Reduce Arrest Injuries

The SafeWrap System aims to safely detain suspects while protecting all involved in the encounter.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a police handcuff against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the need for safer arrest procedures.The new SafeWrap System aims to provide Baltimore police officers with safer restraint techniques to protect all involved during arrests.Philadelphia Today

The Baltimore Police Department is implementing a new restraint technique called the SafeWrap System to reduce injuries during arrests. The system, developed by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experts the Gracie brothers, provides officers with tools and skills to safely detain suspects while prioritizing the safety of everyone involved. The training teaches officers a new approach to de-escalate situations, especially for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Why it matters

The new SafeWrap System aligns with recommendations from a 2024 report by the Police Executive Research Forum to reduce the risks of restraint-related deaths. It aims to build trust between the police and the community by demonstrating a commitment to safe and humane arrest procedures.

The details

The SafeWrap System was originally developed by Rener and Ryron Gracie, third-generation Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructors, for use in hospitals and with psychiatric patients. It has since been modified for law enforcement's use of force encounters. The system emphasizes controlling a suspect's arms and legs to prevent them from getting up or hurting officers, while also keeping the suspect on their side to allow for medical monitoring. Officers from Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Miami participated in the first training class in Baltimore, where they learned the new techniques.

  • On Thursday, WJZ had the chance to attend the very first training class in Baltimore.
  • All Police Academy classes will begin this training, and officers will begin this training through in-service training.

The players

Jose Defrank

A detective with the Baltimore Police Department.

Shawn Parlett

A sergeant with the Baltimore Police Department's Continued Education Tactics and Use of Force Unit.

Rener Gracie

A third-generation Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructor and co-developer of the SafeWrap System.

Ryron Gracie

A third-generation Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructor and co-developer of the SafeWrap System.

Helio Gracie

The grandfather of Rener and Ryron Gracie, who founded the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our goal is to be safe. Make sure our partners are safe, make sure the public is safe, so help us safely reach that goal.”

— Jose Defrank, Detective, Baltimore Police Department

“It's been a long time trying to get this training set up and get it rolled out to the department. My colleagues and I have worked really hard to bring it here. And to see how it was received by officers. It is good.”

— Shawn Parlett, Sergeant, Baltimore Police Department

“You have two officers take someone down, they put that person in a prone position, they pile on top of them, and they somehow try to extract those hands from underneath and put them behind their back, and then put the cuffs on. This presents several tactical problems.”

— Rener Gracie

“The subject is a patient. They need help. When officers show up with conventional methods, 'get him on his stomach, jump on his back, and they rush to a prone position, it often exacerbates the situation.”

— Rener Gracie

“[We] look forward to it being used to build that trust with the community, to build that relationship with the game. We don't want to have to do this, but sometimes we do, when we do, we're doing it in a way to be as safe for everybody involved.”

— Shawn Parlett, Sergeant, Baltimore Police Department

What’s next

The Baltimore Police Department plans to implement the SafeWrap System training for all new Police Academy classes and through in-service training for current officers.

The takeaway

The adoption of the SafeWrap System by the Baltimore Police Department represents a proactive step towards improving officer safety, reducing arrest-related injuries, and building trust with the community through a more humane and de-escalating approach to use of force encounters.