When would an armoured vehicle be needed?

I know that the council does not “police” the police — but you do have people sitting on the police board. This is part of civilian oversight of our police during these bleak and sad times of protests in the streets about abusive and militarized police, that Peterborough thought it was a good idea to have a military light-armoured vehicle in its garage?

Here is how its intended use is described:

“The vehicle will be used by the Service’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) for training purposes and in a variety of high-risk situations bringing an elevated level of safety to members as well as provide added safety and security in emergent situations to the community.

The LAV, with all-terrain capabilities, will also be used during high-risk calls involving local and regional police partners or where emergency services partners including Peterborough County/City Paramedics and Peterborough Fire Services are also deployed.”

What is an “emergent situation?” What kind of situations do we have in Peterborough where we might use this vehicle? And what is a “high-risk call?” Without clear parameters and definitions, these words basically mean that the vehicle can be used by the police in whatever manner it deems necessary. This is part of the shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of our community? Really?

I would suggest that the Peterborough police sell this vehicle, perhaps to the Canadian Armed Forces, from whence it came.

Craig Paterson, Engleburn Avenue