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Jeremy Bender reports that eight different law enforcement agencies in Indiana have purchased massive Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) that were formerly used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP is a bulletproof, 60,000-pound, six-wheeled behemoth with heavy armor, a gunner's turret and the word "SHERIFF" emblazoned on its flank.
Pulaski County, home to 13,124 people, is one of the counties that have purchased an MRAP from military surplus. When asked to justify the purchase of a former military vehicle, Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer told the Indy Star:
"The United States of America has become a war zone. There's violence in the workplace, there's violence in schools and there's violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that's what I'm going to do."
(Score: 2) by tempest on Wednesday June 11 2014, @11:03PM
They key here is that it was SURPLUS. Just last year everyone was speculating what the military was going to do with all those MRAPs, likely just give them away at extreme discounts like " One of the Indiana counties spent only $5,000 for its MRAP" according to the article. Justify the cost? Does the County Sherrif have ANY vehicle that cost UNDER $5000? Didn't think so. Police in this country have become increasingly militarized sure, but I don't think the department has to justify anything. I'd think the police are at least a useful place to deposit such surplus vehicles. Pulaski County Indiana? Maybe not, but it's up to them.
(Score: 1) by rancid on Wednesday June 11 2014, @11:39PM
They could sell it for parts and scrap. The department could turn a profit. That's what is happening in real warzones. [ap.org]
Transform swords in the plowshares.
(Score: 2) by Dunbal on Thursday June 12 2014, @12:07AM
Wishful thinking. It is impossible for any government branch to turn a profit. But I'll bet the police chiefs' brother/cousin/uncle who happens to have a scrap metal company would turn a hell of a profit...
(Score: 1) by looorg on Thursday June 12 2014, @02:05AM
More like the trash and scraps are turned into IED:s.
(Score: 1) by looorg on Thursday June 12 2014, @02:13AM
Considering that a normal police car cost anywhere from $20k-50k depending on how much equipment and extras it has if they can have an MRAP for $5k then more power to them. That said tho it probably wont replace standard police vehicles for normal usage. I do wonder what the top speed and gas milage of an MRAP is, I doubt it would be comparable to a normal police car.
(Score: 1) by compro01 on Thursday June 12 2014, @03:06AM
It should also be said that the cost of maintenance on this thing is going to be a hell of a lot more than on a cop car.