There’s a unique new vehicle on the South Coast intended to help law enforcement officers deal with armed suspects. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office now has a mini-Caterpillar that’s been beefed up to make it bulletproof.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Hatlee says the little dozer has a number of front end attachments. They range from a battering ram with video cameras to a portable armor shield, which can be placed in front of a building where there’s an armed suspect.
The idea is to get SWAT team officers safely into areas where they might be exposed to gunfire, as well as a way to safely get bystanders out of harm's way.
“The Rook” cost $316,000, but state and federal grants covered $300,000 of the cost. The Sheriff’s Office will make it available to other SWAT teams in the region if needed.
