Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office gets MRAP vehicle

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – A large military vehicle designed to protect soldiers is keeping deputies and officers safe in Tippecanoe County.

The $412,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was a gift from Pulaski County. The MRAP vehicle has no military weapons just bulletproof armor.

Sheriff Barry Richard said the new military-grade vehicle is strictly for safety and protection.

The Special Response Teams will utilize the vehicle in dangerous situations. Richard said they hope to never have a scenario in which they have to use it.

“I think any law enforcement agency that is always able to think ahead and provide the resources for their officers or deputies, it’s the right thing, it’s the responsible action to take,” Richard said.

It took nearly six weeks to get the MRAP vehicle.

The West Lafayette Police Department has a similar military vehicle.