Detroit Police Excited About New $700,000 SWAT Vehicle: 'The Bear'
DETROIT (WWJ) - They call it "The Bear."
The Detroit Police Department's new bigger, badder and better SWAT vehicle is able to hold more team members, set perimeters for police and assist in search and rescue operations.
"When we have officer or citizens pinned down, The Bear provides that adequate coverage because of its height," explained Detroit Police Commander Elvin Barren. "The technology that's on The Bear — we have cameras on there, we have a ram that can breach down doors and fences."
Barren told WWJ Newsradio 950's Mike Campbell it's an important piece of equipment that gives the force "a tactical advantage" in barricaded gunman situations.
"We're excited about The Bear!" Barren said.
"Chief (James) Craig, when he came in from LA, he realized we did not have a Bear. He did have one out in LA, and said we're gonna get you a Bear...And he did deliver on that and provide our SWAT team with a Bear."
The vehicle cost about $700,000, according to police, and was paid for with forfeiture funds.