Becker County Sheriff’s Office pushes for new armored vehicle

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Members of the Becker County Sheriff’s Office made a pitch to the county board on May 16 about why their department needs a new armored vehicle.

Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander said an incident in Wadena County over the weekend required an armored vehicle from Otter Tail County to protect officers and he believes Becker County should have their own to reduce response time.

Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander, right, speaks during a Becker County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

“We currently have what is called a Peacekeeper and we received that at no charge from Hubbard County,” said Glander. “I’m guessing it’s based on a mid-1970s chassis and we just looking at a way to improve what we currently have.”

Deputy Adam Douglas, the sheriff’s office’s emergency manager, told board members the Lenco Bearcat G3 armored vehicle can fit 10-12 fully-equipped officers. The vehicle can also run on flat tires which would be an asset when deputies respond to weather incidents with lots of sharp debris.

“Tornados, man-made disasters, stuff like that, any debris that we would activate this type of equipment in, we’re not gonna to put (the armored vehicle) out there and all of a sudden we’re sitting on the side of the road trying to change a tire,” said Douglas.

He added the Bearcat could also be used as a rescue vehicle during flooding since it is able to operate in two feet of standing water, which could be vital for rescuing stranded motorists.

“We do get a lot of washed out roads,” he said. “It’s a good tool to have. If there are certain roadways that are washed out that we are not able to get our regular emergency vehicles through, if there is somebody that has medical conditions that isn’t able to get out, we’ll be able to help facilitate that.”

Commissioners approved of the deputies to bring a complete proposal back to the board with price estimates before anything could be approved

The vehicle is expected to cost more than $300,000.