Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office purchasing military-style vehicle
A new military-style vehicle will be added to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office fleet.
Chief Mark Mears told commissioners Monday the office plans to purchase a Lenco BearCat to replace a vehicle that it acquired through the federal government’s 1033 program, known as a Peacekeeper.
“When the criminals are out gunning the law enforcement, we have to be able to protect our employees,” Mears said.
The Lenco BearCat manufacturer describes it on its website as “often used in hostile Urban Environments or as a Patrol/Reaction Vehicle on a Military Base.”
“We need our deputies to be safe when they’re deployed in these tactical situations,” he said.
The Sheriff’s Office has had the Peacekeeper for 15 to 20 years, according to Mears, but said it’s become unreliable, breaking down last December when the Sheriff’s Office was assisting Huerfano County. Mears said it’s deployed when the SWAT team responds to calls.
“I would venture to say over the last four years it’s probably had $16,000 worth of maintenance to it,” Mears said.
Commissioner Sal Pace was the only commissioner who was against the purchase.
“I just have a philosophical concern about the over-militarization of our civilian police forces,” Pace said.
“It’s not an amazingly large vehicle,” said Commissioner Buffie McFadyen. “It’s a matter of public safety. Safety of the officers. Protecting the public and it replaces a very, very old vehicle.”
Mears told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that he understands concerns about outfitting law enforcement with military-style vehicles but said it’s necessary.
“We are a paramilitary organization,” Mears said. “It would be great if we didn’t need these kinds of vehicles but in today’s society that’s not gonna happen.”
The sheriff’s office received a $115,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to pay for the Lenco BearCat. In addition, $100,000 is being spent from the forefeiture fund of the Sheriff’s Office.
