PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement team will be adding a new tool to its tool belt: an armored rescue vehicle.
The purchase, which was approved by the three Clallam County commissioners on Tuesday, will allow the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) to be less reliant on support from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).
Over the past two years, OPNET has called in JCSO’s armored vehicle 26 times, according to Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy.
Armored vehicles can be used for rescues and evacuations, de-escalation and protection from dangerous situations.
During active shooter situations, the protection offered by these vehicles can help protect first responders, the public and the suspect, Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole said.
“We don’t have to shoot back,” Nole said. “We’re in the armored vehicle.”
Armored vehicles also can be used as barriers between an active shooter and a public area, which can give law enforcement more time to de-escalate the situation.
In a recent situation involving a domestic violence suspect who was destroying his residence, barricading himself and “literally throwing guns out at us,” Bundy said JCSO’s armored vehicle allowed officers to get close enough to the suspect to resolve the situation.
“We’ve had successful outcomes on any mission we had with our armored vehicle,” Nole said.
JCSO’s armored vehicle, mine resistant ambushed protected (MRAP), is slightly different than OPNET’s.
OPNET’s rescue vehicle, the IAG Sentinel, will be purchased from Florida-based International Armor Group US, Inc. It will be faster than the MRAP and will have more rescue capabilities, Bundy said.
The Sentinel will be able to withstand 3 feet of water, hold 20 citizens during rescue situations and fit 12 first responders in full gear inside. It will have off-roading and negotiation capabilities, a 360-degree camera system, a telescopic breaching tool and more.
Bundy said she negotiated with the company to get cost savings of about $8,000, arriving at a final price of $381,783.30 for the Sentinel with add-ons.
The purchase was funded through OPNET’s fund balance.
“We do not have to touch any (Clallam County) general fund dollars or ask any of our participating agencies for additional financial assistance to make this happen,” Bundy said.
Although OPNET will have its own armored vehicle, Nole said JCSO will still work with Clallam County and OPNET.
“When it comes to taking care of our people, having two armored vehicles would be a plus,” he said. “I think that the time has come where things like armored vehicles are part of law enforcement nowadays.”
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
