DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Briefing on the replacement of a ballistic-resistant vehicle for the Police Department SWAT unit
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) will provide the Public Safety Committee with a briefing on the replacement of a twenty-two-year old ballistic resistant response and rescue suburban assigned to the SWAT Unit of SAPD.
The replacement of this vehicle is scheduled for City Council consideration in “A” Session on October 29, 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) SWAT Team (Team) is the only full-time Tier 1 team in the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Region 18. A Tier 1 SWAT team responds to hostage rescue, barricaded armed individuals, sniper operations, high-risk warrant service, apprehension, and security operations, terrorism response, special assignments and other incidents which exceed the capability and/or capacity of an agency’s first responders and/or investigative units. SWATs assignments are planned deliberate response and rescue operations.
SWAT is assigned two ballistic resistant vehicles and utilizes them to respond to critical incidents, including but not limited to, active shooter situations, dignitary protection, natural/manmade disasters, high risk search and arrest warrants, and special events.
SWAT’s ballistic resistant fleet consists of two vehicles that are ten (10) and twenty-two (22) years old respectively. The SAPD is seeking to replace the oldest ballistic resistant vehicle to maintain its Tier 1 distinction utilizing the US General Services Administration (GSA) cooperative contract.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The purchase is estimated at $225,000 funded in the General Fund in the FY 2020 Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Public Safety Committee moves forward the replacement of a SWAT ballistic resistant vehicle for the Police Department to City Council for consideration at the October 29 “A” Session.