Commission committee backs bomb-squad robot upgrade funded by sheriff's grant
Summary
Shelby County committee approved a sole-source purchase to upgrade the Sheriff's Office bomb robot, funded mostly by a grant and a small forfeiture contribution; staff said the upgrade will extend the machine's service life by more than a decade and reduce risk to officers.
Shelby County staff told commissioners the county needs a software-and-hardware upgrade for its bomb-squad robot and asked for approval of a sole-source purchase paid from a 2026 sheriff's grant and special revenue funds. Alicia Lindsey, chief administrative officer for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, said the upgrade would keep the robot "technology, current, and operational for an additional 10 to 15 years" and stressed that the purchase would not use general-fund dollars.
Lieutenant Pitts, the sheriff's office bomb-squad commander, described the current robot as aging and said the upgrade would reduce the need to send officers into hazardous environments: "Our current robot is 21 years old and this technology upgrade will allow the robot to continue service for the next 10 to 15 years. It'll prevent me having to send my officers downrange in the hazardous environments." Committee members moved the item to a vote; the committee reported the item will move forward with a favorable recommendation from the committee.
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