http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0314wvarmored14.html
Glendale police 1st in state to get tough BEAR vehicle
Brent Whiting The Arizona Republic Mar. 14, 2006 12:00 AM
GLENDALE - Glendale police have rolled out their latest weapon, a 15-ton armored vehicle called BEAR.
It can resist a grenade blast, stop bullets and swoop into hostage situations, riots, bomb scares and other high-risk scenarios.
The BEAR, or ballistic engineered armored-response vehicle, also can ram vehicles or smash through concrete walls.
On Thursday, police put the diesel vehicle on public display, allowing people to hop aboard and examine the gun portals, roof turret and other special features.
The behemoth stands about 12 feet tall, cost nearly $240,000 and is made by Lenco Armored Vehicles in Pittsfield, Mass.
It was purchased through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, making Glendale the first Arizona agency to get one, said Officer Mike Pea, a police spokesman.
The vehicle can stop armor-piercing ammunition, but police hope the ballistics qualities of BEAR will never have to be tested, said Lt. Chris Briggs, a leader of the police tactical operations unit.
Briggs said the vehicle provides a safe way to carry about 15 team members, fully decked out in their protective gear, into dangerous environments.
In addition, it can be used to carry as many as 25 to 30 people away from deadly places.
"We're really excited about having it," Briggs said. "It's going to make things safer for us, as well as safer for the citizens."
Sgt. Brent Coombs, a tactical operations unit member, said the vehicle also has equipment that can detect explosives, deadly gases and radiation, providing other safety layers.
"It gives us the ability to protect ourselves as we move into very dangerous areas," he said.
Len Light, president of Lenco, said BEAR and smaller vehicles are being sold throughout the world.
He said sales have been driven by two catastrophes, the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Light said police officers being put in dangerous situations should be given protection from bullets, explosives and other deadly weapons.