Title
Gainesville Police SWAT Team Vehicle Purchase (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve funding from Federal Forfeiture funds in the amount of $82,500 for the purchase of an armored vehicle for the SWAT team.
Explanation
The Gainesville Police Department SWAT team needs to purchase a new vehicle. The current armored vehicle was designed to transport money/bank transfers, not SWAT personnel. The current armored vehicle, a 1992 Ford acquired in 2004 with 241,440 miles, is well past its service life and is not up to modern industry standards regarding ballistic protection. The vehicle is becoming a safety hazard due to its age with exhaust fumes entering the interior.
The SWAT team is requesting permission to utilize Forfeiture Funds to purchase an industry standard armored personnel carrying vehicle to replace the aged bank truck. The new vehicle will provide the industry standard for ballistic protection should the members of the SWAT team or any citizens being rescued come under fire.
Alpine Armoring Pointer Van has been utilized as a demo from 2008 and has very low mileage. This vehicle was evaluated in person by the GPD SWAT commander and Fleet personnel. The primary benefits of this vehicle are the low price and the low, non-military profile. This purchase will be a sole source purchase.
Fiscal Note
The purchase of this armored vehicle in the amount of $82,500 is a permissible use of Federal Forfeiture funds as this is a one-time expense for the formation of a new police unit. The vehicle is a fiscally sound purchase, as any new armored vehicle would cost approximately $250,000.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Gainesville Police Department to use Federal Forfeiture funds to purchase an armored vehicle for the SWAT team.