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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=46326.89

LP SWAT operations suspended

Timothy O'Connor
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - The La Porte City Police Department suspended SWAT operations Wednesday because there isn't enough money to replace armored vests.

Chief Terry Scherer announced the move during Wednesday's Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

The SWAT team is used primarily to deliver high-risk warrants or aid in drug-buy takedowns, according to SWAT Team Commander Pat Hemphill. He said the vests, which are about 5 years old, reached their warranty expiration date and were no longer considered safe.

"The vest might be just fine," he said, "but the manufacturer won't stand by it if something were to happen."

To replace the nine vests, which are thicker and cover more of the body than normal bullet-proof vests, would cost about $1,500 each, money the police department and city simply don't have right now.

"We're going to try to continue to train, but until we get the vests, I'm not going to let my guys put their lives in danger," Hemphill said.

The SWAT team trains for six to eight hours one day a month.

Scherer said he worked out a deal with the La Porte County Sheriff's Department to assist with the county SWAT team if the need arose. However, Hemphill said it won't matter if two events occur at the same time.

"It kind of hampers us down for the more serious (incidents) right now," he said.