The I.U.P.A. is proud to represent the members of the Defiance Police Officers Association as well as officers across the United States, including in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

On June 7, 2021, Defiance, Ohio Police Department officers responded to a suicidal male subject in crisis. The subject repeatedly asked officers to shoot him. The subject then stated that he was armed.

Rather than respond as the suicidal man wished, Sergeant Matt Skiver deployed the BolaWrap with Patrol Officer Levi Pauli present on the cruiser video holding cover with his Taser. The BolaWrap pinned the man’s arms to his sides, subduing him so that officers could handcuff him without further incident.

Afterward, the suspect was heard thanking the officers and expressing that officers acted so swiftly that he was not certain exactly what happened, “I’m glad that whatever you just did, you did.”

BolaWrap interviewed Defiance Police Department Chief Todd Shafer on this, who was extremely complimentary of the quick thinking and professionalism of his officers.