Deming Police Department's military surplus armored vehicle (Deming) – Records show a U.S. Defense Department program which loans local law enforcement agencies surplus military gear has sent $10.2 million worth of weapons, helicopters and armored vehicles to New Mexico.
And the Deming Police Department was one of the beneficiaries.
Documents obtained by public records requests from The Associated Press show the Defense Department's "1033 program" has sent Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to small agencies like the Deming Police Department, Clovis police and New Mexico State University police.
Meanwhile, larger agencies like the Albuquerque Police Department have received weapons, utility trucks and mine-resistant vehicles.
The Deming Police Department took possession of a military surplus armored vehicle in March which they said would be used as a SWAT and rescue vehicle.
Deming Police Captain Bobby Orosco said at the time that the donated vehicle was valued at $750,000 and was given to the Deming Police Department through the “1033 program.”
The federal program is one of many under review by the White House in the aftermath of the police response to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico said the extra military gear helps them in crisis situations.
But critics say the equipment is contributing to the unnecessary militarization of local police.
And the Deming Police Department was one of the beneficiaries.
Documents obtained by public records requests from The Associated Press show the Defense Department's "1033 program" has sent Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to small agencies like the Deming Police Department, Clovis police and New Mexico State University police.
Meanwhile, larger agencies like the Albuquerque Police Department have received weapons, utility trucks and mine-resistant vehicles.
The Deming Police Department took possession of a military surplus armored vehicle in March which they said would be used as a SWAT and rescue vehicle.
Deming Police Captain Bobby Orosco said at the time that the donated vehicle was valued at $750,000 and was given to the Deming Police Department through the “1033 program.”
The federal program is one of many under review by the White House in the aftermath of the police response to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico said the extra military gear helps them in crisis situations.
But critics say the equipment is contributing to the unnecessary militarization of local police.
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