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Police ask council to fund armored response vehicle, spare motorcycle and design work for public safety training center
Summary
Meridian Police Department sought council approval in the FY26 workshop for a jointly‑used armored response vehicle (Bearcat) with Garden City, a fully equipped spare traffic motorcycle and design fees for phase 3 of a public safety training center; the chief said the new armored vehicle will be clearly marked and available to joint operations.
Meridian Police Department told the city council it is requesting several public safety capital items in FY26: a traditional armored response vehicle (commonly called a "Bearcat") to replace a damaged covert rescue vehicle, one fully equipped spare traffic motorcycle and design fees for phase 3 of the public safety training center (PSTC), which may later include drone operations.
Chief (presenter) explained the joint SWAT team with Garden City Police Department has been operating actively and said the existing covert rescue vehicle has operational limits. The department proposed purchasing a factory‑built armored vehicle that would be co‑branded "Meridian Garden City joint special tactical group" and used by the joint team. When asked about cost sharing, the chief said Garden City would not contribute to the vehicle purchase but has contributed staff to the joint team; the chief also said maintenance arrangements would be determined later.
"We would prioritize those call outs based upon the totality of the circumstances," the chief said, describing how the joint operation would manage requests from either city.
On motor enforcement, police requested a fully equipped spare motorcycle so traffic enforcement can continue when a bike is in the shop. The department also asked for design fees for Phase 3 of the PSTC and said it is exploring drone integration to provide tactical and situational awareness for police, fire and public works.
Council members asked who would own or store the armored vehicle and whether Garden City would contribute to costs; the chief said the vehicle would be stored in Meridian, that Meridian would have final operational responsibility and that Garden City would not pay for the vehicle purchase but participates in joint staffing.
Next steps: council did not take an immediate purchasing vote during the workshop; staff said they'd provide requested clarifying details and costs. Council members asked staff to provide more detail on usage agreements and any cost‑sharing or maintenance plans for the joint asset.
