BearCat safely chauffeurs SWAT

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jun 25, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Louisiana State Police SWAT team members tested their newest emergency response vehicle Tuesday during a simulated rescue demonstration in Zachary.

A “man down” drill required SWAT team members to fire shots at targets through gun ports and from a rotating roof hatch inside the 17,000-pound, 20-foot-long, black steel armored Lenco BearCat.

Other members jumped out of the vehicle to rescue two 150-pound dummies on a grassy field.

The demonstration was intended to show just how useful the 8-foot-wide vehicle, which is bomb- and bulletproof, can become during high-risk events such as hostage situations, barricaded suspects, or even during a terrorist attack or street riot.

“It’s an incredible resource,” said Lt. Duane Schexnayder, SWAT supervisor for Louisiana State Police.

“This is a layer of safety for the officer to be able to get up close and personal and deal with situations.”

About 25 Louisiana State Police SWAT team officers trained Tuesday from the BearCat at the Louisiana State Police Joint Emergency Service Training Center in Zachary.

The Lenco BearCat is the latest weapon for Louisiana State Police. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office obtained its BearCat in 2006.

Schexnayder said “high risk” situations are becoming more common, making it necessary to fight crime with vehicles that will not only protect law enforcement officers, but also the public.

“Criminals are getting more brazen,” he said. “I’ve been in law enforcement for 22 years. We deal with them daily.”

Schexnayder said State Police secured the BearCat with federal monies provided by Homeland Security.

It cost $220,000, he said.

The Lenco BearCat armored vehicle is designed with hardened steel armor plate and ballistic glass, specially designed gun ports, a rotating roof hatch, and gun mount, said Len Light, president of Lenco Armored Vehicles, in Pittsfield, Mass.