Riley County police get 'state-of-the-art' incident response vehicle

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) will end 2024 with a new incident response vehicle added to its fleet.

The RCPD posted on social media on Dec. 30 that after years of planning, it received a "state-of-the-art" F550 vehicle for the Hazardous Evidence Recovery Team (HERT). The vehicle is expected to improve the department's readiness and its ability to handle complex incidents to better ensure safety for the community and RCPD personnel.

"The planning for this vehicle began in 2016, with the initial design phase and funding efforts kicking off in 2019. After years of hard work and persistence, RCPD successfully secured funding in 2022, thanks to Senator Moran’s strong advocacy and support for law enforcement initiatives."

Statement excerpt from RCPD social media post

Notable features of the incident response vehicle include, but are not limited to:

• A generator that powers its systems at full capacity for more than one day continuously.
• An integrated technology center for seamless communication and data management.
• Onboard facilities to support personnel during extended operations such as a restroom and kitchenette.
• Ensures safe handling and containment of hazardous materials with a fume hood.
• Facilitates secure and efficient transfer of evidence with its evidence passthrough door.
• Flood lights provide enhanced visibility during nighttime or low-light operations.

The RCPD said the vehicle will enhance the agency's ability to respond to a variety of situations, and even operate as a negotiation and or command post.

"RCPD extends our heartfelt gratitude to Senator Jerry Moran for championing this initiative and securing the necessary funding. His dedication to supporting law enforcement has made this critical enhancement possible."

Statement excerpt from RCPD social media post

The federal appropriations process lets Congress allocate federal funds to support certain projects and initiatives, according to the RCPD. These funds are taken from federal tax revenue for things like enhance public safety. The RCPD was able to use federal funds to acquire this vehicle without impacting local taxpayers.

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