Police get OK to buy armored vehicle

A BearCat armored vehicle used by the Nashville Police Department.

DOWNEY - With several active shooter incidents still fresh in memory, the City Council approved on Tuesday the Downey Police Department’s purchase of a tactical armored vehicle – also known as a “BearCat” – for future use in high-stakes situations.

According to police, the BearCat vehicle would significantly reduce the risk to officers who are faced with heavily armed suspects.

Total cost of the purchase comes to a grand total of $319,843.60, including tax and delivery of the unit itself ($279,476.80), as well as purchase and installation of emergency lighting equipment, police radio, computer and in-car video system equipment ($40,366.80).

DPD Captain Mark McDaniel – who was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting - said that the police department was thankful to the city council for their continued support.

“As Chief Milligan stated, it’s a piece of equipment we hope we never use, but if we need to use it it’s going to save lives,” said McDaniel. “We can’t put a price tag on an officer’s life, we can’t put a price tag on a resident’s life. We put our officers in harm’s way; we have to, it’s important to provide them with the safe equipment to go home at night.”

No new training or special licensing is needed for operation of the vehicle.

The decision to purchase the equipment comes shortly after a string of violent attacks in Gilroy, California, El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio that has many throughout the nation on edge. However, McDaniel says that purchase of a BearCat has been in discussion for years.

“We understand that this is an expensive piece of equipment…it’s been a discussion we’ve had for many years to be honest,” said McDaniel. “But in the recent active shooters where we’ve seen throughout the country where rifles are being used, school shootings… time is of the essence in critical, tactical situations. This has been under discussion, but the timing is right to get that piece of equipment so we can save lives.”

DPD were also recently involved in a violent police chase that ended in a standoff and police shooting in Vernon back in May. The suspect in the chase – 24-year-old Dylan Andres Lindsey of Torrance – was the same suspect involved in the fatal shooting of Downey liquor store owner Gurpreet Singh three days prior.

Lindsey succumbed to injuries from what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound a week later.

According to police, officers were forced to wait over 30 minutes for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team to arrive on scene, all while being exposed to great risk.

McDaniel says that possession of a BearCat vehicle would significantly improve local officers’ ability to respond in an effective manner.

“If you can put that vehicle – which can withstand a rifle round or a high-caliber handgun round – if you put it in an area where it can deflect or keep people safe, that’s a piece of equipment you want to utilize,” said McDaniel.