Brownsburg police say federal forfeiture will fund two armored vehicles and support units

The Brownsburg Police Department plans to acquire three specialty vehicles — two armored personnel carriers (APCs), a command vehicle and an investigations unit vehicle — funded with nonreverting federal forfeiture funds, the department’s chief told the Police Commission.

"This is federal forfeiture funds. This is not tax revenue generated budgetary funds," the chief said, adding that misinformation on social media had confused local residents about the funding source. He said the vehicles were approved unanimously by the Town Council after the department submitted contracts and cost documentation.

The chief described the intended uses: APCs to protect personnel during high-risk responses, a command vehicle equipped with pole cameras and illumination systems to run major scenes, and an investigations unit outfitted with a field interview room to start audio/video-recorded interviews on scene. He said the department plans to trade in a retrofitted recreational vehicle now in use as part of the procurement.

The chief said there is an anticipated eight- to 12-month lead time for build out and that the department will place the anticipated payment in a 2027 budget line for the nonreverting forfeiture account. "One of the 3 vehicles is an armored personnel carrier," he said, adding, "I want to protect our entire personnel."

Commissioners did not vote on the procurement at the commission meeting; the chief said the Town Council had already reviewed and unanimously approved the contracts the prior Thursday. The chief characterized the purchases as a way to improve response capabilities without using tax revenue.

The commission did not take additional action on the item at the meeting. The department will return with updates as the build and budgeting process continues.