AUSTIN POLICE WANT NEW ANTI-BOMB ROBOT
Police want to spend $300K to buy robot that disposes of explosive ordnance, freshening its four-device fleet.
The Austin Police Department is planning to drop just over $300,000 for a new bomb squad robot that’s aimed at keeping officers out of harm’s way.
City documents show the department is seeking approval for a contract with Remotec Inc. for an Andros FX explosive ordinance disposal vehicle, which is designed to knock out suspicious objects, explosive devices or other threats.
Last year, the department used more than $300,000 in general funds to equip front-line officers with more than 900 ballistic vests capable of stopping rifle fire.
The robot will give officers more maneuverability in some of the most dangerous situations that officers must handle.
Austin police Cmdr. Todd Gage said the department needs the new robot to bring some fresh legs to the arsenal of four that are currently in use.
Gage said those robots are more than 8 years old, and they don’t offer the same range of capabilities as newer models.
The total cost of the vehicle is $303,019, most of which will be paid for with grant money from the state, but $4,085 will come out of the Police Department’s 2016-17 operating budget, according to city documents.
“The technology out there allows for the robots to have more maneuverability; they can get into tight spots and over rough terrain that causes the robots we have now some problems,” Gage said.
The robots are deployed to every SWAT situation and to calls involving suspicious packages