The Board of Aldermen last week approved its purchase.
Frederick, Md (KM) An armored rescue vehicle is coming to the Frederick Police Department. In an unanimous vote last week, the Board of Aldermen gave the department approval to purchase the vehicle.
Chief Jason Lando says this refurbished ARV will be used for extreme situations such as an active shooter, an armed barricade incident and serving high risk search warrants where a person inside is believed to be armed and could use weapons against officers.
When he took over as chief earlier this year, Lando said he did an assessment of training and equipment for officers in dealing with extreme situati8ons. He says Frederick Police Officers have the training to deal with these incidents, but lack the equipment. “This came to light on April 6th when we did have our own active shooter situation here in Frederick. And we had to call upon the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jenkins, to respond with his armored rescue vehicle,” he says.
Chief Lando says the Frederick Police need their own armored rescue vehicle in case the one from the Sheriff’s Office is not available. “This is not a military vehicle. I just want to make sure everyone is aware of that,” he says. “This vehicle has no weaponry on it whatsoever. It is simply a protective vehicle designed to carry our officers to threats and to safely carry civilians away from threats.”
The armored rescue vehicle under consideration by Frederick Police can seat eight to ten officers or two fold-out liters for injured patients, according to background material from Chief Lando.
He says this vehicle is not for everyday use by officers on patrol. “You pick up the phone and dial 911, you’re not getting an armored vehicle at your house. This is for extreme situations,” the Chief says.
The vehicle’s use will require command-level authorization, an officer with the rank of lieutenant over above. But it can be used for disaster response such as floods, according to Chief Lando.
Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak joined the rest of her colleagues in supporting this purchase. “And I’m going support it because, in my mind, this is a safety issue. This is a safety issue for the officers; this is a safety issue for the community,” she said.
The $130,000 to purchase this vehicle comes from the Controlled Dangerous Substance Fund. This account contains assets confiscated from drug dealers by the police. .
By Kevin McManus