Menu
Bates County Sheriff's Office new rescue vehicle
The Bates County Sheriff's Office has a new specialized vehicle. The vehicle was a donation to the Sheriff's Office through a demilitarization program that allows government excess property to be transferred to law enforcement agencies.
Through this program, the Sheriff's Office has obtained several pieces of equipment that helps deputies 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 was used to prepare soldiers 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 eight people, will be utilized to assist the Sheriff's Office in rescue missions to include flooding, active shooter situation and standoffs.
The only expense the Sheriff's Office has incurred during the transfer of this property has been sending several deputies out to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take possession of the vehicle and bring it back, noted a press release from the department.
The vehicle arrived in Bates County Nov. 5 and was already called to duty. The MRAP was sent to assist in rural Adrian during a standoff Nov. 8. The Negotiation Team utilized the vehicle as a safe environment to negotiate the surrender of the suspect and her hostage.
"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," said Sheriff Chad Anderson.
"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 someone's life and came with very minimal cost."