The City of Washington Police Department is getting a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP – is a six-wheeled armored truck. On a 4 to 1 vote the city council approved the acquisition and directed staff to begin drafting agreements with other area agencies. The vehicle comes from the military’s 1033 plan and the only expense will be picking up the vehicle in Texas, that money will come from the forfeiture fund.

Police Chief Greg Goodman stated that the vehicle can be used in multiple situations, from incidents similar to those of 2011 in Keokuk County when Sergeant Eric Stein was killed, to a problem at a school, to helping people in rural areas during a medical emergency when weather doesn’t permit other emergency vehicles to reach the area.

Sheriff Jerry Dunbar expressed support for the acquisition of the vehicle and has agreed to pay $1,500 annually for the maintenance of the vehicle.