Letter to Vice Admiral Alan S. Thompson, Defense Logistics Agency

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Department of Defense to alter their Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) policies to allow Broome County to obtain an armored vehicle that would be a helpful tool for local law enforcement and enhance community safety. LESO provides an important service that transfers excess equipment and vehicles at the DOD to fulfill the needs of state and local law enforcement organizations. The Broome County Sherriff recently became aware of a Humvee vehicle in the LESO inventory and applied, based on a recent incident in which an armored vehicle was essential in executing the SWAT team mission safely. The Broome County application was first accepted, and then rescinded as DOD changed its policy mid-stream. Schumer is asking DOD to change these policies back so that Broome County law enforcement can put the excess vehicle to good use.

"Our law enforcement professionals risk their lives every single day to protect our communities, and in return we owe them the best tools available to stay safe on the job," said Schumer. "I urge the Department of Defense to change their current policies that restrict Broome County from accessing the armored Humvee that was already promised to them. The Broome County Sherriff's application is worthy and well structured, especially based on a previous incident in which an armored vehicle was critical to the Broome officials' safety. I am going to push to get this straightened out as quickly as possible so that the Broome County Sherriff's office has the tools they need to get the job done safely."

The Broome County Sherriff recently learned of, and applied for, an armored HMMWV which had entered the LESO inventory, that would fulfill critical safety needs in the region. The request was approved by LESO, and the Sheriff was advised that the vehicle was available for pickup. Unfortunately, the LESO approval was rescinded, when a DOD policy review decided not to make armored vehicles available to local law enforcement. In his letter, Schumer highlights that the Broome County Sherriff office has a clear need for an armored vehicle, and that obtaining the Humvee would allow more coverage and armored protection to the Broome County SWAT team when they arrive at high-risk situations.

Schumer notes a 2010 incident in which a retired New York State prison guard was holed up in a Binghamton hotel during a stand-off with police. Due to the fact that an armored vehicle was not readily available, police officers and SWAT had to wait for four hours while one was driven down from Albany. Schumer argues that an armored vehicle would not only be an asset, but is critical to the safety and success of Broome County's SWAT team.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to Vice Admiral Alan Thompson appears below:

Vice Admiral Alan S. Thompson
Director, Defense Logistics Agency
Andrew T. McNamara Building
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6221

Dear Admiral Thompson:

I write to call your attention to a matter of high interest to me and to law enforcement officials in New York. The Defense Department has armored vehicles which it no longer needs, but which our local law enforcement officers have an immediate need for. I ask that you reconsider a recent decision which is preventing our state and local agencies from accessing these important, underutilized vehicles.

In accordance with Section 1033 of the Fiscal Year 1997 National Defense Authorization Act, your agency's Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) provides a vital service by transferring equipment and vehicles which are excess to the Defense Department's needs to state and local law enforcement organizations. Recently, the Sheriff in Broome County, New York learned of an armored vehicle which had entered the LESO inventory. The Sheriff has had past incidents which required armored vehicles, such as a harrowing stand-off with an active shooter last year. Based on that demonstrated need, the Sheriff immediately requested for the vehicle. The request was approved by LESO, and the Sheriff was advised that the vehicle was available for pickup. It is my understanding the LESO approval was rescinded, apparently based on a higher level review of policies regarding transfer of armored vehicles.

It is vitally important that our communities are prepared for all law enforcement contingencies. It would be unfortunate for these armored vehicles to sit abandoned in a Defense Department lot while our brave law enforcement officers could be using that gear now to make themselves and our communities safer. I respectfully request that you look into this matter as soon as possible, and please let me know if I can be of any assistance in expediting this important transfer.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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