Casa Grande Police Get a BearCat

I read in the Casa Grande Dispatch the other day that the City of Casa Grande and Pinal County have used “criminal funds” seized from drug operations to fund a new Lenco Bearcast for the Swat team. This armored vehicle holds 8 fully armed police officers, has bullet proof armor and is equiped with a sniper or observation turret. The armored SUV is designed for SWAT missions or off road search and rescue operations and you would think why would a small city need such a unit? The answer is simple, there have been between 80 and 100 deployments of the SWAT team for Pinal County, so this armored vehicle will help keep the officers safer and help them do their jobs.

I think it is a good idea that seized funds can be used to purchase better equipment for the officers, and that money should be put to use to better fight the criminals. Though it should not be paid as salaries or bonuses, as this would encourage risky behavior or motives in acquiring it.

-Justin Germino