Various police departments have been adding armored vehicles to their fleets.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office in California has added a Lenco BearCat G3, to be used in emergency situations such as active assailant incidents, hostage situations, armed or violent subject apprehensions, and search and rescue missions, the Calaveras Enterprise reported. The vehicle cost $328,450.
Maintenance and repairs will be performed by the department mechanic, which is expected to reduce costs versus other specialized vehicles, according to a Sheriff’s Office release. Funds for the vehicle came from the Sheriff’s budget and a nonprofit.
The Owasso Police Department in Oklahoma is set to purchase its own BearCat for $289,320, a purchase just approved by the city council, Tulsa World reported. This is the first armored vehicle to be used by the PD’s SWAT team, and the police captain said the vehicle will better equip officers in circumstances such as armed and barricaded subjects or hostage situations.
In Manitoba, Canada, the Brandon Police Service has taken delivery of an armored rescue vehicle (ARV) for nearly $400,000. The ARV is equipped with ballistic armor, can carry up to 10 officers, and is available to respond to high-risk incidents involving firearms and other dangers to officer and public safety, according to a release from the police service. Funding was obtained through federal forfeiture funds.
