Hunter
12/07/21
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is requesting $240,000 for an armored vehicle to replace the one acquired at no cost from the federal government.
The Gazette reports the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, has been the source of objections from protesters who believe that civilian police forces shouldn’t deploy military-style vehicles. The MRAP has been used in 19 documented deployments since acquiring it in 2014; the department has used it for the safety of officers, as well as using it to rescue civilians.
Sheriff Brad Kunkel included the Lenco BearCat armored vehicle as part of an over-$800,000 package requested for the 2023 fiscal year. The package also includes money to replace aging camera equipment.
As far as the use of armored vehicles, the newspaper reports that a petition signed by nearly 500 people requesting that the county get rid of the MRAP and not purchase a replacement was presented. All 18 speakers during the public comment section of Monday’s work session opposed the use of military-style vehicles.
Sheriff Kunkel told the supervisors this summer that he won’t negotiate the need of an armored vehicle, but would get rid of the MRAP if they approve the purchase of the BearCat.