Crime & Safety

State Law Enforcement Benefits from Military Equipment Giveaways

Ever wonder where our police officers get some of their equipment?

Ever wonder what happens to surplus military equipment once the Defense Department doesn't need it? According to California Watch, some of it ends up in San Diego County as well as thousands of other agencies nationwide.

More than 17,000 local agencies in the United States take advantage of the Defense Department’s equipment giveaways, when they can snatch up items like M16 rifles, helicopters, microwaves, survival kits, workout equipment, bayonet knives, ammunition cans and more.

While other local police agencies have stocked their equipment shelves, the has not participated in the program since 2000, when it received a ground troops parachutist's helmet, valued at $2,977, according to the California Watch data.

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"[La Mesa Police Department] has participated in this program in the past and obtained some serviceable equipment, but  it has been a number of years since we acquired anything from the Department of Defense," said Lt. Matt Nicholass via email.

Nicholass continued: "This available equipment is not always in a serviceable condition and usually located out of state. [We] would be responsible for inspecting the equipment and shipping cost to get it to La Mesa, which is not always beneficial." 

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has been a bit more active in participating in the program, having acquired a litany of items, including binoculars, bomb disposal suits and equipment, service firearms, and night-vision goggles. The department even acquired vehicles – an armored truck valued at $65,070 and a UH-1H helicopter valued at $3.61 million.

But like the LMPD, the Sheriff's Department hasn't taken advantage of the program in several years, as its last acquisition was in 2003.

Nicholass said he understand the value of the program, but only if it ultimately benefits the department.

"We recognize this is an opportunity to save money for some equipment, but have to remember this equipment has exceeded the service life of the military and may have repair and upkeep cost which may not always outweigh the benefit," he said. 

In 2011, California police agencies have collected more equipment than any other year in the program’s two-decade history, California Watch reports.

Read the full article here on California Watch.


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