Lawrence police acquire 48,000-pound monster vehicle

At 48,000 pounds and 12 feet high, the new Lawrence Police Department's MRAP is no ordinary police car.

The steel six-wheeler came from the military surplus program of the federal Defense Logistics Agency. The MRAP will replace a smaller, less-resistant vehicle the department has used as the primary armored car, said Capt. Gary Woodruff.

"It's designed to withstand some fairly significant threats," he said.

Lawrence is the latest of several Indiana law enforcement agencies to acquire an MRAP, or mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, which the military uses in combat zones. Other departments that have acquired MRAPs include the Johnson County, Morgan County and Jefferson County sheriff's departments, and the West Lafayette, Merrillville, Mishawaka and Terre Haute police departments.

Woodruff said the department would use the MRAP in emergencies involving the SWAT team, like in the case of a mass shooting or a bomb threat. The armored car could also help the department get around in severe weather, as it can operate in as deep as 4 feet of water, he said.

"We'd rather have it and never need it than need it and wish we had it," Woodruff said. "...We can repurpose it and have it benefit the citizens and help keep the officers safe. It's a win-win all the way around."

The department has used a large armored car before, including a standoff at a residence being burglarized. That vehicle was brought in front of the house and sheltered the SWAT team while officers approached the suspects. That situation was peacefully resolved.

A new MRAP costs more than $700,000, Woodruff said. The military refurbishes used ones and donates them to local police departments for free, Woodruff said. Lawrence police paid for the shipping cost from Texas, using $6,200 from the police budget. Local businesses donated lights and labor to customize the MRAP for police use.

Call Star reporter Steph Solis at (317) 444-6494. Follow her on Twitter: @stephmsolis.