Staff Writer
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department has received a much anticipated armored rescue vehicle under the National Defense Authorization Act.
This essentially allows the government to “lease”vehicles left over from the draw down in Iraq and Afghanistan that would otherwise sit on a surplus lot.
These $755,000 MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) are being used by police departments as an inexpensive means to properly outfit themselves to better serve the public for about $6,400 (for shipping).
Certain departments of have been met with some public disapproval. Some have seen the police “militarizing” themselves since the early 1990s. Others citizens are concerned that the vehicle will be too expensive and overused.
The Chief Deputy of the Sangamon County Sheriffs Department, Jack Campbell, assured me that the use of the vehicle is for rescue operations and armed conflicts.
“Five of the Tactical Response Unit members are trained and proficient in implementing the vehicle to assist officers or to be used as a protected means of egress for law enforcement and the public,” said Sgt. Jim Tapscott, a member of the response unit.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the intimidation factor that comes with a larger and prior military vehicle. But if a vehicle can act as a deterrent, why wouldn’t we embrace that?
Its design isn’t to strike fear into the general public, however if it strikes fear in criminals — good. The engine is a Caterpillar Diesel, so no special training is required to maintain and operate these MRAPs outside the usual budget.
To operate the vehicle, all that is required is a CDL, which is more than the military requires of the personnel operating these vehicles in combat zones.
With some consideration to the weight of the vehicle, the county highway department has worked with the Sheriff’s office to provide the best possible options that will help in keeping roads from being damaged.
But the sheriff’s office will not hesitate to take the MRAP wherever it needs to go, to get to where its needed most. The county is currently in the process of having the MRAP painted matte black with a police light package.
The 11-foot tall, 9-foot wide and 21-foot long rescue vehicle has already responded to one instance of a barricaded subject.
After a man pointed a firearm at police, the call was made for the only other armored vehicle the county owns. But it broke down en route to the call.
Luckily, the county police had recently received the MRAP and had trained the response unit in deploying the vehicle. Using it helped the man to eventually surrender to law enforcement.
“The county has trusted the Sheriff’s Office in serving the public for decades. We (the Sheriff’s office) are asking for its citizens to continue to trust us in doing the right thing as it has before.” Campbell said.
As an Infantry veteran with a 16-month tour in Iraq, I have had the opportunity to experience the usefulness of the MRAP. On numerous occasions these vehicles have proven themselves in combat situations.
Everyday, you can see a Brinks Truck protecting money while traveling down the road and not think twice about it. Why not offer the same protection to our officers? What about our neighbors, family or ourselves?
The general public often has problems with accepting the reality of the constant threat of worst-case scenarios. As a community, we should be best-equipped for any situation, because it’s certainly better to have and not need it than ever need it and not have it.
Prior to these vehicles the Springfield Emergency Response Teams considered draping soft body armor over the side of a police cruiser as the alternative option. No employee at any job should be forced to depend on less than adequate equipment when there are better options.
Regardless of your stance on the MRAP use in our county, or if the unfortunate event you are stuck in an active shooter on campus or downtown hostages at the Capitol, this vehicle would be a welcome sight.
Ryan Mazrim can be reached at 217-786-2311 or [email protected].
