(Radio Iowa) – The Sioux City Police Department has received approval from the city council to apply for grant funding from the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department to purchase an armored rescue vehicle for their swat unit. Police chief Rex Mueller says the vehicle would provide protection for officers in dangerous situations. The chief says this would replace a larger military surplus vehicle that was donated to the department and is not built for the way they use it.

Councilman Alex Watters shared his concerns as well as from a citizen that the vehicle was militaristic. Chief Mueller responded that’s why he wants to replace the current vehicle, because it is a military design and not as practical for many police needs.