$300,000 vehicle will assist Merced County Sheriff's SWAT team

It makes a Hummer look like a Honda.

The sheriff's department unveiled its brand-new 2010 Lenco Bearcat this week -- a tactical armored vehicle that will be used by the department's SWAT officers to respond during emergency situations.

The vehicle, which costs $300,000, was purchased with grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security, said Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin. No money from the county's general fund was used to make the purchase.

Pazin said the vehicle is necessary because criminals are more heavily armed and sophisticated than ever before.

Pazin said the vehicle will increase safety for deputies potentially coming under heavy gunfire.

"If there is a SWAT callout, they are going to be well protected," Pazin said.

The Bearcat will take over for the department's Peacekeeper -- a military style armored vehicle the department inherited from Castle Air Force Base.

Although the Peacekeeper will be kept in rotation, deputies say the Bearcat will be the SWAT team's first line of defense.

Cmdr. B.J. Jones said the Bearcat would be particularly useful in the event citizens or a downed officer require rescue in a hostile environment.

"This vehicle will provide protection for our deputies when they go into danger zones or hot zones, depending on the threat level," Jones said.

The Board of Supervisors voted to accept the grant funds for the Bearcat at the end of 2009.

Before it was shipped to Merced County, the department's Bearcat was recently showcased at the National Sheriff's Association Conference in Anaheim.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.