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Department uses military‑surplus EOD robot for evidence retrieval and rescue support
Summary
Detective Wayne Jones describes acquiring iRobot EOD robots and large hard drives via a military surplus program; the robots provide remote cameras, an arm for moving items and the ability to carry heavier payloads than small drones.
Detective Wayne Jones said the Mount Vernon Police Department has repurposed military‑surplus equipment to expand capabilities at low cost.
Jones described an iRobot EOD robot — originally built for military bomb disposal — obtained through a surplus program. The robot includes a camera and manipulator arm; Jones said it can carry and deliver items (for example, phones or storage devices) and can be used to inspect areas without sending personnel inside. "With practice, you can open up a door... it's got a little grabber, so you can open doors, you can grab items," he said.
He also told the Roll Call Room that the department obtained large hard drives through the same surplus channel and that those drives were effectively free aside from shipping costs. Jones said the vehicle obtained through the program also served as a rescue vehicle during recent flooding.
