The Grappler: Texas DPS unveils fresh technology to help prevent pursuits
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Texas Department of Transportation unveiled new technology to help prevent high-speed pursuits across the state. In December 2025, some Texas DPS patrol unites implemented the Grappler System to immobilize fleeing vehicles during pursuits.
The Grappler system has been used by other law enforcement agencies across the nation to stop violators traveling at speeds of 30-80 miles per hour.
The technology is mounted to the front of the DPS patrol unit, and the system is activated from inside. It deploys a heavy-duty net that catches a vehicle’s rear tire. This allows the wheels to lock, and the car comes to a controlled stop by a tether.
In 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott started cracking down on migrant crossings through Operation Lone Star, resulting in more state troopers in the Borderland.
Authorities pursued vehicles they suspected of carrying migrants; some resulted in serious crashes and injuries. Many pursuits ended in neighborhoods, highways and schools, which worried some residents.
Texas DPS said it decided to make this investment to help keep everyone on the roads safe.
Sergeant Eliot Torres, who represents the West Texas DPS Region, said two patrol units currently have the technology installed in the West Texas sector.
So far, the technology has been deployed seven times in West Texas.
"We've seen the benefit and the benefit of safety. That's our main goal as police officers, the Department of Public Safety; it's in our name,” he added.
“So we want to make sure that using tools such as this is going to ensure that there's no secondary crashes, and even fatal that are caused by those secondary crashes. And it ensures the safety of the trooper, the violator, everybody around us.”
Sgt. Torres understands many pursuits become dangerous, so they’re hoping with the new system in place, it will help prevent that.
Texas DPS troopers must undergo training to deploy the system.
“As soon as they are certified and the instructors in the field out there in Austin are reassured that they're okay to use this, then we send them back to our regions, our areas, so that we can use this in our community,” he said.
Outfitting one individual patrol unit costs 8,000 dollars, and replacing the net is estimated at around $400.
Sgt. Torres said the trooper deploying the technology will only feel a slight tug. He said many people locally have commended on the system's unique look.
He wants people to obey authorities and pull over when they see flashing emergency lights.
“It doesn't matter if it's our agency; it doesn’t matter if it's El Paso PD or the sheriff's office or the constable's. Whatever agency is going to pull you over, please pull over and do so safely,” he said.
Sgt. Torres said they hope to implement this technology in more Texas DPS patrol units in the coming years.
Watch the special report, "The Grappler," Thursday on ABC-7 at 6.
