Guilford PD Approved for New $112,000 Mobile Command Post

The Board of Selectman has approved $112,915 for the Guilford Police Department for their new Mobile Command Post Vehicle. The PD will also be looking to add on about $20,000 worth of additions to the vehicle, like striping and decaling, wiring, computer work stations and crime scene software. 

"The vehicle we're looking to replace was bought used in 2000, and currently has over 300,000 miles on it," says Guilford Police Chief Tom Terribile. "Public works has put some work into it, like installing a generator, but it is falling apart."

Nomad Global Communication Solutions was the winning bidder for the bonded project, coming in at $112,915, beating out another offer of $124,000. The custom vehicle was originally budgeted at $180,000; both offers were way under what was expected. 

"We use the command post for countless situations," said Deputy Chief of Police Jeff Hutchinson. "We process evidence, interview witnesses, and it serves in all our investigations as an operating post. It's our office." 

The new command post would be 28 feet, with a 17 foot working area and the rest of the space taken up in a cab. The sizing was long thought out by the department.

"Lt. Robinson put a lot of work into the details of this vehicle," said Terribile. "It has to be able to fit in our parking lot, as well as up the small roads and long, narrow driveways in town. The lay out is very efficient and the final design is custom for us, it is not stock."

"This is no just a crime scene van, we wouldn't waste tax payers money that way," continued Chief Terribile. "We want it to be multi-purpose. It's compatable with the Fire Department equipment, as well as our own."

Selectwoman Cindy Cartier voted against the approval of the vehicle, suggesting that the town should further explore potentially purchasing a shared vehicle for this purpose with other towns.

"Do we need this vehicle 365 days a year?" Cartier asked at the meeting. "Is this something we could potentially purchase with a town like Madison or Branford, which would reduce the cost to us?"

"The problem with that is that when we need the vehicle, we need it," responded Terribile. "We do share regional equipment, but this is such a base for us. With shared equipment too, we are always running into issues. We'll get something in for our use, and it will be broken, and then no one wants to admit who broke it. When towns share with equipment, no one wants to take responsibility for it, because ownership isn't complete. With this vehicle, it's better to just own it."

Cartier was still not convinced.

"I can't imagine we can't negotiate appropriate parameters with our neighbors," she said. "We share other vehicles with them, I think we still need to explore this option."

In a 4-1 vote, the board approved the project. The town expects the new vehicle to arrive by early summer 2013. If well maintained, the life of the vehicle should last 25-30 years.