Police describe need for prisoner transport van; specs not yet finalized

Binghamton City Council members heard from the administration Monday about a proposed amendment to the 2025 police capital budget to purchase a prisoner transport van.

Comptroller Chuck Robinson summarized a detailed memorandum submitted by the police department that documented problems with using regular patrol vehicles to transfer detainees, and highlighted safety, improved climate control and a more robust recording system as advantages of a purpose-built transport van.

Robinson said the police department had not yet finalized full vehicle specifications; council members asked for those details before approving any budget amendment. Robinson confirmed the purchase would be funded from seizure-proceeds lines in the capital budget (special investigations unit seizure funds) but said the department had not supplied full specs as of the works session.

Council directed staff to provide the police department’s final vehicle specifications and a funding breakdown for further consideration in the finance committee.