During an interview Tuesday, Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper was candid in his assessment of how the department was finally able to acquire two new police vehicles through a connection he had with someone at Karl Chevrolet in Cedar Rapids.
“We’ve been lucky,” Tupper said.
As part of the consent agenda during Monday night’s meeting, the city council approved the purchase of two 2023 Chevy Tahoes at a total cost of $120,375.94 and the disposal of two Ford Interceptor vehicles 2017 for a credit of $11,000. According to the boss, the new vehicles are “slightly larger” than the Ford models they had been using.
As Tupper explained, he’s been working to buy new cars since March 2022, and even after sealing the deal last year, he got word from a salesperson that they wouldn’t be able to fill the order.
While the news is certainly welcome for the MPD, Tupper added that they are already trying to make purchases for fiscal year 2024 and are struggling to do so, calling the outlook “bleak” at this point.
“It’s a supply chain issue,” he said. “If you know anybody who’s tried to find a car period in the last couple of years, it’s been tough. But now here, we’re talking about police package vehicles that are built to certain specifications with certain equipment, and it’s become a national crisis with departments and sheriff’s offices that can find the vehicles they need.”
In a typical year, the MPD buys two or three new vehicles, and last year they bought a truck for the new K9 unit along with a police vehicle. They were able to get the truck, but not the other vehicle. Some agencies have even gone back to looking for used vehicles because the shortage is so pronounced.
“Police vehicles are important tools, obviously, for the work we’re doing, and they wear out. They have some rough driving, and it’s hard work and we start to have maintenance issues,” Tupper said. “It’s so important for our staff to have state vehicles to operate, and we’re thankful that Karl was able to help”.
Beyond the vehicles, Tupper said he has also faced challenges procuring other needed items, such as computer equipment, cameras and ammunition.
“There are a lot of supply chain issues that we’re dealing with just like the rest of the world, and things are getting more expensive as well,” he said.
——
Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.
Today’s news and more delivered to your inbox