United States Northwest Regional SWAT Team is now equipped with Caiman 6x6 MRAP vehicle 0311133

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Defence & Security News - United States
 
 
Sunday, November 3, 2013 11:55 AM
 
United States Northwest Regional SWAT Team is now equipped with Caiman 6x6 MRAP vehicle.
Caiman 6x6 MRAP vehicle was recently acquire by by the Northwest Regional SWAT team of United States. Merrillville police Cmdr. Robert Wiley, a Northwest Regional SWAT team leader, said the vehicle is bulletproof and it can withstand blasts from many types of explosive devices.
     
Caiman 6x6 MRAP vehicle was recently acquire by by the Northwest Regional SWAT team of United States. Merrillville police Cmdr. Robert Wiley, a Northwest Regional SWAT team leader, said the vehicle is bulletproof and it can withstand blasts from many types of explosive devices.
A newly acquired armored vehicle Caiman 6x6 will be used by the Northwest Regional SWAT team in rescue situations. The vehicle costs $412,000, but the SWAT team received it at no cost.
     
The former military vehicle was obtained by the team in early October, and it will primarily be used in rescue situations.

"Our job is to preserve life," said Crown Point Officer Mile Knezevic, another SWAT team leader, "This is going to help preserve life."

Northwest Regional SWAT serves Merrillville, Crown Point, Schererville, Dyer, Griffith, Hobart, Lowell, Munster and Lake Station.

If there is a situation involving an active shooter, the Caiman 6x6 MRAP would be deployed to the scene, Wiley said.

Besides protecting officers from bullets, the vehicle could be placed between the shooter and potential victims to keep them safe.

The Caiman 6x6 MRAP also could be a valuable resource during natural disasters, such as floods and blizzards.

The vehicle has the capability of driving through several feet of water or snow. It could be used to rescue residents trapped in their homes.

Wiley said the Caiman 6x6 MRAP has a price of $412,000, but the SWAT team obtained it at no cost through a federal government program that provides surplus military equipment to law enforcement.

Northwest Regional SWAT had been on a waiting list for the vehicle for more than a year. Following a letter from U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, the team was notified it would be receiving the MRAP.