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Last updated on Wednesday, February 14, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - Dozens of people filled a room at the Bloomington Police Department Tuesday for a discussion about the purchase of an armored vehicle.
Police Chief Michael Diekhoff led the discussion about the truck, which will cost the city nearly $220,000. The police chief says newly available funds from the public safety local income tax will be used to pay for the armored vehicle currently being discussed. The contract for it has been signed and the vehicle is expected to be delivered this year.
BPD had an armored vehicle from about 2000 to 2012, when it was retired due to poor condition. Since then, the department hasn't been able to afford a new one. Chief Diekhoff says the department opted to buy a civilian armored truck, instead of a military truck, in order to be more appropriate for their community.
Chief Diekhoff says the vehicle is needed to protect officers when they respond to high-risk scenes.
"We're put in situations where they become very dangerous and we have to work to protect people," Chief Diekhoff said.
The mayor's office has received around 120 calls and emails about the purchase some claiming an armored truck is not the right path for Bloomington and could actually escalate already tense situations.
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