Thursday, November 21, 2013

Bates County Sheriff's Department Press Release: New Vehicle Maxxpro MRAP










Press Release

On 11/5/13, the Bates County Sheriffs Office traveled to Colorado Springs Colorado to receive a new specialized vehicle. The vehicle was a donation to the Sheriffs Office through a demilitarization program that allows government excess property to be transferred to Law Enforcement Agencies. Through this program the Sheriffs Office has obtained several pieces of equipment that helps the Sheriffs Office better serve the community and equipment that they would have not been able to afford to purchase on their own.

The vehicle was manufactured by Navistar Defense and the model is a Maxxpro MRAP. The vehicle was originally designed and used in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to safely move military personnel from point to point during their missions. The vehicle is designed to withstand IED explosives and small arms fire due to its design and armament.

This particular vehicle was used as a training vehicle for soldiers to prepare them for the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle during battle. This vehicle has been given a new role as a rescue vehicle in Bates County. The MRAP, capable of seating 8 people, will be utilized to assist the Sheriffs Office in rescue missions to include flooding, active shooter situation and standoffs.

The only expense the Sheriffs Office has incurred during the transfer of this property has been sending several Deputies out to Colorado to take possession of the vehicle and bring it back. This vehicle arrived in Bates County on the November 5th and was already called to duty. The MRAP was sent to assist in rural Adrian during the standoff with Baker on November 8th. The Negotiation Team utilized the vehicle as a safe environment to negotiate the surrender of Baker and her hostage.

Sheriff Anderson says,While this vehicle may seem extreme for Bates County to some people, I would call their attention to what is going on in rural areas across the Country. Workplace shootings, school shootings and violence in general are not just big city problems. I would much rather HAVE a piece of equipment that may be used a couple of times a year, then to NEED that equipment and just not have it. Especially if that equipment could save someones life and came with very minimal cost.

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