Warwick council debates purchase of 8 police vehicles; finance committee moves item to full council and council holds approval

The Warwick finance committee and later the full city council debated a request by the police department for eight in‑stock police vehicles that the department says are ready for upfitting and deployment.

The department presented the request as a capital‑budget purchase that replaces worn vehicles. “The vehicles are in stock on the lot, but they have to be upfitted,” Police Major Robert Hart told the committee, explaining that lights, cages and other equipment must be installed. He told councilors the vehicles would be funded through city lease purchase funds.

Several council members pushed back on the timing and scale of the replacement. “This spending bleed has got to stop,” Councilman N. Lattice said during the finance committee debate, arguing the city was purchasing too many vehicles in the fiscal year.

Finance committee action: The finance committee did not reach a consensus recommendation and the committee’s solicitor advised that, without a committee recommendation, the item would move to the full council with no recommendation. The committee advanced the request to the council for a full vote.

Full council vote and outcome: Councilors reconsidered the purchase at the full council meeting. Amendments proposed to reduce the number of vehicles (first to four and then to six) failed after roll‑call votes. A motion to approve the eight vehicles did not reach the required support on the council (the roll call returned five votes in favor and four opposed) and the motion failed. Councilors then moved to hold the item for further consideration at the next available meeting.

What was at stake and evidence presented: Major Hart said the vehicles were on dealers’ lots and priced under cooperative purchasing agreements; one earlier quote for a similar fleet package had included upfitting and totaled $524,892.56 for a set of vehicles the department described at committee. Supporters said replacing worn vehicles reduces in‑service failures and maintenance costs and improves public safety reliability; opponents said the city should step back and reduce capital outlays because of broader fiscal pressures, including school budget shortfalls discussed earlier in the meeting.

Next steps: The council held the item for a subsequent meeting to allow further review. Commissioners and administration representatives who manage fleet replacement told councilors they would be prepared to present more detail on the department’s fleet plan, vehicle lifecycles and the potential cost difference if the city waits or has vehicles rebid.

Provenance: The finance‑committee introduction and technical details appear when the police department presented “2026212, purchase 8 police vehicles.” The finance committee advised the item would proceed to the floor with no recommendation. The council later debated the request and the roll‑call action and final hold were recorded in the council session transcription.

Ending: Councilors agreed to revisit the request at a later meeting after additional details and clarifications are supplied by fleet managers and department leadership.