First response gearGrand Junction, Colorado uses DHS grant to purchase bomb squad equipment
The Grand Junction Police Department in Colorado recently received two grants to purchase sophisticated new equipment for its bomb squad and new information sharing software; on Monday, the city council authorized the police department to accept the two grants; thanks to a $250,000 grant from DHS, the police department will now be able to purchase a Total Containment Vessel (TCV); Grand Junction also received a $108,000 grant from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police to purchase new software
The Grand Junction Police Department in Colorado recently received two grants to purchase sophisticated new equipment for its bomb squad and new information sharing software.
On Monday, the city council authorized the police department to accept the two grants.
Thanks to a $250,000 grant from DHS, the police department will now be able to purchase a Total Containment Vessel (TCV).
This vessel will allow the bomb squad to safely contain and move potential explosive devices.
Police Chief John Camper explained, “For example, if the device is in a populated area, in a home or a business or something like that, they can put it into the TCV and transport it to someplace safe where they can detonate it safely. Or, they can detonate it within the vehicle if they need to.”
The bomb squad is comprised of three police officers and three firefighters who are responsible for a large area stretching from Salt Lake City, Utah to Denver, Colorado as well as Boise, Idaho and Farmington, New Mexico.
The total cost of the TCV is $290,000 and the city council will pay the remaining $40,000 with money seized by Mesa County’s Forfeiture Board. This allows the city to purchase the bomb squad equipment without spending any additional funds.
Grand Junction also received a $108,000 grant from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police to purchase new software. The upgrade will allow police officers in Grand Junction to link their records to a new state-wide record system called Cop-Link program.
Cop-Link allows law enforcement agencies across Colorado share information on suspects or vehicle descriptions to help investigators solve crimes and search for suspects more quickly.
With many local police departments across the United States facing budget cuts, these grants have enabled law enforcement agencies to purchase cutting edge equipment and technology.
