APC is necessary tool to keep community safe
As your sheriff, I am tasked with protecting the lives of all who are in Bonner County. This protection extends to potential victims and/or suspects, and also to the men and women who work for this office. If I am not considering the protection of all these groups, I am neglecting my job. I am responsible to ensure my employees have all the necessary tools and training to do their jobs safely. I provide bulletproof vests, shields, hazmat gear and other essential equipment as they respond to emergencies and challenges in this 21st century.
For as long as I can remember, this county has maintained an antiquated armored vehicle called the “Peacekeeper” to transport our emergency response team. The Peacekeeper is a 40-year-old vehicle that was given to our agency by the U.S. Air Force. The walls are lined with used bullet proof vests enclosed with plywood. If the engine starts, the maximum speed is about 35-40 mph. In order to be safely driven, the driver’s side door needs to remain open because of the small obscured window design. Space constraints hinder the effectiveness of the team and only part of the ERT members fit into the vehicle — the others have to hang on to the outside rails or be left behind. For these reasons and others, I searched for a better way to protect team members and the public.
My first response was to see if I could procure a better version of the Peacekeeper at little or no cost. I looked at grants, used armored vehicles, and armored vehicles returning from overseas that are available to law enforcement. Unfortunately grants have dried up, privately sold armored vehicles are not in much better shape than the one we have and used military vehicles are too large and expensive to run and maintain. I realized that none of those options were feasible, so the solution was to procure a new rescue vehicle. From my research and feedback from other agencies, I have found the Lenco Bearcat is the best option for our agency. It is a proven piece of equipment used by agencies throughout the country, including the Spokane County SWAT Team.
Once the decision was made to replace the Peacekeeper, it was my job to determine the best way to manage our budget and continue to replace our fleet of patrol vehicles without increasing the budget. My solution was to use funds in this year’s budget for the down payment and follow the practice which Road and Bridge does when purchasing equipment — by asking commissioners to sign a four-year purchase agreement for $220,000. I am giving up one patrol vehicle a year for the next four years. This is an “ordinary and necessary” expense to replace a similar piece of equipment. The Bearcat has a life expectancy of 20 years or more.
Some may remember back on May 19, 2007, when a mentally disturbed man opened fire on the dispatch center in Moscow, killing a police officer, wounding a sheriff’s deputy and a civilian. Those men laid dead and wounded with no means for local law enforcement to rescue or retrieve them during the active shooting. It is critical the BCSO prepare for what is “possible,” not just “probable.” Part of that preparation includes taking whatever steps are necessary to protect our responding law enforcement and safety personnel. I have no doubt that if you or a family member were such a victim, you would want us to do everything in our power to save your life. The Bearcat gives us the ability to execute all available options.
Some have been critical and believe the sheriff’s budget continues to grow which is entirely opposite of the facts. Last October, from the prior year’s budget I returned more than $259,000 back to the commissioners to help pay for the courthouse and at the same time reduced this year’s current budget by more than $200,000. I stand by my decision and believe that it is in the best interest of the sheriff’s office and the people of Bonner County to purchase this rescue vehicle.
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler
Bonner County Sheriff’s Office