The Redwood City Police Department is the latest law enforcement agency to receive wartime military equipment from the U.S. Government.
The California-based police department recently attained a 60,000-pound MRAP, according to NBC Bay Area.
The $750,000 vehicle, originally designed to protect troops in Iraq and Afghanistan from roadside bombs, was paid for by the government as part of a program that provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.
“It’s simply a way to move our officers around in a protected environment and evacuate civilians in an emergency instance,” Redwood City Police Lt. Ashley Osborn told NBC Bay Area.
RELATED:Â Local Law Enforcement Agencies Obtaining Wartime Equipment
The transfer of wartime equipment to police departments across the nation is a growing trend with the near 15-year war in the Middle East coming to a slow end.
The new Redwood City Police vehicle, like most others obtained around the country, will only be used during emergency situations and not on patrol.