Commission approves police ammunition and radar system purchases

The Kentwood City Commission approved two police procurement requests on July 15: an annual ammunition purchase and replacement of in-car radar systems.

Chief Fleming said the ammunition request covers training and duty use for pistols, rifles and less-lethal munitions. The department budgeted $62,300 and the recommended purchase totaled $62,133. The commission approved the purchase after a motion; no roll-call vote details beyond approval were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission also approved a request to buy seven in-car radar units. The radar replacements are part of a planned capital improvement program; the chief said some radars date to 2008 and several vehicles currently lack radar equipment. He said new units reduce measurement errors (for example, curve-related inaccuracies) and lower downtime for vehicles that otherwise would be out of service during repairs.

Nut graf: Both purchases were presented as routine, budgeted items intended to maintain training capability, officer safety and effective traffic enforcement; the radar replacement is expected to be phased across multiple years to manage costs.

Discussion and outcome: Commissioners asked technical questions about radar range and operational benefits; the chief explained the newer technology corrects common errors and reduces maintenance. Motions to approve both purchases were made and supported; the clerk recorded the motions as passing.

Ending: The chief said the purchases will be funded from the police department's capital/training allocations and that vendors include state bid piggyback options for part of the ammunition buy. No additional budget action or amendments were reported at the meeting.