Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman, left, shows Chandler council member Christine Ellis and Mayor Kevin Hartke a currently used handgun-round-resistant shield. Council approved a $172,000 purchase of 36 new rifle-round-resistant shields.
Chandler’s police chief says the department needs to upgrade one of its defensive tools.
The Chandler City Council agreed, approving the purchase of 36 rifle-round-resistant handheld shields at its Dec. 9 meeting for Chief Bryan Chapman’s department.
Chapman said not only are Chandler Police’s current supply of shields nearing the end of their five-year life span, but that batch was only rated as resistant to handgun rounds, while technology has advanced to produce rifle-round resistant shields.
“Based on a number of things happening in the Valley and across the country, we (law enforcement) are taking more rifle rounds and fewer from handguns,” Chapman said.
The $176,000 purchase will be made from Marrero Armor LLC. That company underbid Botach Inc., Aden Combat Systems and Curtis Blue Line in an open bidding process this fall.
A staff report states “Level III shields are designed to stop rifle rounds, providing enhanced protection for officers during critical incidents involving armed suspects.”
Chapman said the department’s 18 patrol teams will each be equipped with two shields, ensuring every patrol officer has access to them.
After the Dec. 9 meeting, Chapman had council members and local media lift a currently used shield to get a sense of its weight and how an officer would wield it and see around it and through its window.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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