Idaho City Police Defends Use of Military Vehicle

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — A southwest Idaho city councilor will work with police to create a policy for using a military vehicle on loan from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that the policy devised with the help of Nampa City Councilor Bruce Skaug will be brought before the city council at a future date. The Nampa Police Department obtained the mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, in September 2013. Concern about the use of military vehicles by civilian police forces led to a standing-room only crowd at the city council meeting Monday.

Nampa Police Chief Craig Kingsbury says the vehicle has been used 13 times. Total cost to the department so far has been about $3,000. He says he'd rather have a civilian version but those cost $300,000.