Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond will seek to obtain surplus military equipment for his deputies after the Trump administration lifted a controversial ban by former President Barack Obama on the transfer of some surplus military gear to police departments.
Hammond, who worked for three years in the Middle East training Iraqi police, said he welcomed Trump's decision last week to allow police departments to usee surplus military weapons and equipment.
"I think it was a bad move [by Obama] when we could no longer get this equipment, and I think it hurt law enforcement all across this country," Hammond said. "It really comes down to management. How does each city and each county use this equipment, which is surplus by the federal government?"
In 2014, before the Obama White House limited such transfers, Hamilton County obtained a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP. The $733,000 vehicle is designed for war zones and can withstand attacks from bullets, grenades and roadside bombs. Hammond said the vehicle will not be armed, as it was in the military, but it could be used by the county's SWAT team to knock down buildings or to access a dangerous area.
"It's not that we are asking for equipment that would be considered military-grade weaponry, but this does allow us to use equipment that is within the purview of usage in a citizen-type situation," Hammond said.
The MRAP was the largest item among more than $800,000 in military gear sent to Hamilton County law enforcement agencies from 2006 to 2014, according to data published by National Public Radio. The data show at least 30 MRAPs were sent to Tennessee, along with assault rifles, night vision equipment, a helicopter, grenade launchers and other supplies.
Data provided by the Tennessee Department of General Services show other local law enforcement agencies also benefited from the program.
The Bradley County Sheriff's Office received a $150,000 tactical assault vehicle in 2007 and their own $733,000 MRAP in 2014. In 1998 and 2005, Bradley County also received shipments of rifles.
"The Bradley County Sheriff's Office has participated in the state of Tennessee's [law enforcement support office] program for many years," Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson said in an emailed statement. "The cost of this program is minimal when compared to the value of the equipment that has been awarded to our agency.
"Additionally, the allocated equipment provides enhanced protection and modern equipment for our personnel when responding to dangerous situations. The [law enforcement support office] program is [a] great resource provided to the sheriff's office to ensure the safety of our community."
The Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office has acquired dozens of firearms and other equipment since 2011, including 15 .45-caliber pistols, 24 .40-caliber Glocks, 20 5.56 mm rifles, 10 pairs of night vision goggles, four utility vehicles, a motorized cart and a scooter.
The Sequatchie Sheriff's Office did not return a request for comment Friday.
Similarly, since 2008 the Meigs County Sheriff's Department has received 25 5.56 mm rifles, 15 sight reflexes, 14 .45-caliber pistols and three Humvees.
Sgt. Robert Maines, head of property and evidence for the Meigs department, said the program gives smaller agencies access to equipment they couldn't possibly afford to buy.
"We don't have anything large like some agencies do. Obviously, we don't have aircraft, we don't have any tracked vehicles," he said. "It does come down to just budget."
He said Meigs County has 25 deputies and the program allowed each to have a rifle in their patrol cars. He said they've used the Humvees in bad weather or rough-terrain rescues.
"We also have a couple of night vision items that we've used for counter-drug activity," he said. "We're not asking for anything extravagant. We're not asking for helicopters."
The Chattanooga Police Department has not received any equipment from the program since April 1999, when it received seven 7.62 mm rifles at a cost of $138 per rifle. Police spokesman Rob Simmons said those rifles are M14s carried by the department's honor guard during ceremonial events.
"Those events include but are not limited to, swearing in ceremonies, funerals, special presentations, etc. They are NOT used as weapons by the CPD," Simmons wrote in an email.
"The only time they are fired are at a '21 gun salute' during the funeral after a line-of-duty death. These rifles serve a key role in our efforts to honor the officers who give their life for our community, as well as honor the sacrifice of their families."
Asked about plans to acquire more equipment, Chattanooga police Chief David Roddy said, "The Chattanooga Police Department is fortunate to have a city council and mayor that's approved the department's budget requests for equipment and gear our officers need to effectively do their job and protect our community."
"[Chattanooga police] officers do not use military surplus weapons to protect our citizens and have yet to receive a call that requires the use of a bayonet or grenade launcher," Roddy said.
Nationwide, more than $5 billion of military equipment was transferred to police departments from 1997 until Obama suspended the program three years ago.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced President Donald Trump's executive order Monday in an address to the Fraternal Order of Police in Nashville.
"We will not put superficial concerns above public safety," Sessions said. "All you need to do is turn on a TV right now to see that for Houstonians this isn't about appearances, it's about getting the job done and getting everyone to safety."
The plan rolls back an Obama-era restrictions that blocked armored vehicles, large-caliber weapons, ammunition and other heavy equipment from being repurposed from foreign battlefields to America's streets.
A task force in the Obama White House concluded that many police agencies didn't adequately keep track of the equipment they acquired, and critics complained the transfers lead to more militarization by the police, rather than community policing and citizen engagement.
Hammond said when he was in Iraq, the U.S. military had millions of dollars of surplus equipment after many battles or engagements and much of it could be used by law enforcement.
"We just need to better utilize what we have already paid for by our taxpayers to help law enforcement," the sheriff said.
Hammond said drones might be a type of equipment the military has that the county could use.
"As sheriff, I have a responsibility to protect the lives of all citizens," Hammond said. "When I can get equipment without taxpayers having to pay for it, then I think we certainly should do that and I am certainly going to apply for it."
Hammond said his office will review what military surplus is available and apply for it as needed.
Contact staff writer Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6340.
Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.