Police Chief acquires Armored Military Combat Vehicle

Police Chief acquires Armored Military Combat Vehicle

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9/22/13 – Has Banning had a problem with roadside bombs lately?

BanningPDThat is what you would think, looking at the latest acquisition of the Banning Police Department :  a 19 ton armored military combat vehicle. With its 50 caliber machine gun turret on top, this killing machine was designed to eliminate Al-Quaida insurgents in Afghanistan, while providing ample protection against roadside bombs.

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Banning PD's 19 ton armored combat vehicle with 50 cal machine gun turret, seen here parked in Police parking lot. Compare its size to a Crown Victoria sitting next to it

Banning Police Chief Leonard Purvis is responsible for acquiring this 19 ton armored combat vehicle, equipped with 50 cal machine gun turret, seen here parked in the Banning Police parking lot. Compare its size to a Crown Victoria sitting next to it.

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Why is such an instrument of destruction in the arsenal of Banning “Peace Officers”? Is this the kind of insane acquisition that is to be expected from Banning’s – admittedly –  mentally impaired Police Chief, Leonard Purvis ?  – (see previous story)

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Navistar MRAP, shown here without gun turret - photo : Navistar

ARMY SURPLUS ACQUISITION

The vehicle in question appears to have been introduced to the Army in late 2007, as a 2008 model (source). It is made by Navistar. As a long standing procedure of the Federal Government, surplus equipment is made available to Police Departments free of charge.

This, however, does not make it free for Banning : there still needs to be expensive radios, lights, siren and speakers etc. purchased and installed, as well as a new paint job applied in Banning Police markings.

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ANOTHER EXPENSIVE TOY FOR BANNING’S USELESS SWAT TEAM ?

ETUNot even once in its existence has the Banning SWAT team (ETU) ever seen action. With the Riverside Sheriff SWAT team available to Banning at any time, maintaining a team in Banning seems like a complete waste of taxpayer money.

If Banning Police SWAT team members would like to play “soldiers” and enjoy using military hardware, shouldn’t they join the Army instead ?

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NOT A RESCUE VEHICLE

The vehicle was designed as a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP). It is a 4×4 with extreme ground clearance, similar to a monster truck (view manufacturer’s brochure).

Sitting next to a Crown Victoria Police cruiser, the vehicle’s bumper appears to be at the height of a Crown Victoria  driver’s head.

The vehicle’s layout makes it obvious that it is much too high to be used for the extraction of wounded victims in a possible shootout scenario. Additionally, the height of the vehicle makes it easy for someone to shoot underneath of it, further jeopardizing any rescue mission. This is not a rescue vehicle.

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CONCLUSION

With it’s latest Police acquisition, what message is the City of Banning sending to it’s 30,000 citizens and its visitors ? Is our Police Department preparing for war and, if so, who is the enemy ? Is anyone feeling safer now ?

It seems once again, things have gone out of control in Banning …..

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