Madison Police Department replaces armored vehicle
Published: Apr. 12, 2018 at 3:34 PM CDT
Madison Police replaced its decomissioned MRAP rescue vehicle with a Lenco BearCat.
MPD purchased the BearCat from the Dane County Sheriff's Office. Police say the BearCat is much smaller, hold more officers, is easier to maneuver and is less expensive to maintain. It also doesn't carry with it the controversy of the MRAP, which some see as militarization of police.
"The former vehicle carried with it some controversy. A lot of folks did not agree with having military vehicles available to police departments and in madison." Captain John Patterson said.
The MRAP will now go to the West Allis Police Department, which currently does not have any armored police vehicles.
