Sheriff’s Dept. adding MRAP to motor pool

Sheriff’s Dept. adding MRAP to motor pool

Vehicle can be deployed in emergency situations

news@theeveningtimes.com

A surplus armored vehicle which the Sheriff’s Department ordered last July from the federal government should be on its way soon.

Sheriff Mike Allen told the Quorum Court that they expect to be getting a call any day letting them know when the vehicle will arrive.

“So it is still coming,” Allen said. “The government is just slow in letting them go out to the public.”

The Quorum Court authorized Allen to spend $4,800 to purchase a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle — or MRAP.

MRAPs were specially designed in 2007 for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to withstand a blast from an improvised explosive devise ambush. Production of the MRAP officially ended in 2012.

Allen plans to make the vehicle available to its Special Response Team to use in situations such as serving high risk warrants, active shooter situations, situations where a suspect has barricaded themselves inside a home or building, hostage rescue situations, natural disaster events, and for counter terrorism.

Little Rock police have an MRAP and have used it to approach a suspect who was shooting at law enforcement from the porch.

The FBI and DEA also used an MRAP to serve drug warrants in Monroe County.

“It’s a vehicle that is fully armored and can be utilized by our department or West Memphis Police and all local law enforcement in case of an emergency,” Allen said.

Allen said there were 12 MRAPs located in Texarkana and they were hoping to get one in order to cut down on their shipping costs. However, it was on a first come, first served basis and law enforcement agencies in 50 states and 75 counties in Arkansas looking to get one of the vehicles.

“We are still on the waiting list,” Allen said. “But

supposedly we are in the top ten nationwide to get one. Hopefully we will be getting it within the next few months.”

By Mark Randall