20-05-2025
La Vergne Police Department adds BearCat tactical vehicle to its fleet
LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new tactical vehicle will join the La Vergne Police Department's fleet.
The BearCat is a tactical vehicle meant to help protect La Vergne officers and focus on public safety. Authorities said the new tactical vehicle would provide the SWAT team the ability to stay safe on particularly dangerous calls by providing mobile protection.
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Additionally, the BearCat provides the community with reassurance and confidence to show that La Vergne is committed to getting the job done regardless of situations that arise.
'Just the presence of a BearCat — it's an imposing vehicle,' La Vergne Police Chief, Christopher Moewes, said. 'The sight of it on somebody's street can actually be a deterrent to people raising a level of force against our officers or against members of the public.'
Moewes said the department has been in the process of trying to get the BearCat added to its fleet since September 2023, but ran into a supply chain issue. He said that about two-thirds of the cost of the tactical equipment was covered by a federal grant the department received.
Moewes added that while crime in La Vergne fluctuates, the new BearCat could be useful for certain situations. For example, Moewes described an incident where La Vergne officers had to respond to a subject who had fired multiple rounds in the air.
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'If we had had this vehicle, it would have provided greater safety for my officers and for the community,' Moewes told News 2.
The La Vergne Police Department will perform a live demonstration of the BearCat's capabilities — as well as SWAT and K-9 officer capabilities — at this year's National Night Out, which is on October 7 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
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