Brief

The Mayor submitted a Board of Police Commissioners report recommending acceptance of a non-monetary donation of a LENCO armored specialty vehicle for the LAPD's Metropolitan Division. The Public Safety Committee waived further consideration, and the full City Council adopted the item on January 20, 2026, by a vote of 9-3-3. The matter is now closed.

Full summary

This file authorizes the LAPD to accept a $1,749,527 non-monetary donation from the Los Angeles Police Foundation to replace three aging armored specialty vehicles used by the Metropolitan Division's SWAT Team. The three vehicles being replaced — a 2003 LENCO BEAR, a 2005 LENCO MARS BearCat, and a 2008 LENCO MedCat — had reached the end of their operational life cycles, with deteriorating ballistic armor, outdated technology, and escalating maintenance costs limiting their reliability during critical incidents. The replacements are a LENCO BearCat Patriot OSR ($667,438), a LENCO BearCat BombCat ($590,474), and a LENCO MedCat ($491,615). Each vehicle serves a distinct tactical role. The BombCat is purpose-built for explosive ordnance disposal and IED response, featuring blast-resistant construction and a large rear compartment for deploying tactical robots. The MARS BearCat is a force-projection vehicle with a hydraulic ramp system that allows officers to access elevated positions — rooftops, aircraft, multi-story structures — for rescues, counter-sniper operations, and tactical entry. The MedCat is an armored medical evacuation platform that allows TEMS medics to treat and transport casualties in active threat environments where standard ambulances cannot safely operate. The new MedCat includes upgrades such as dual litter capacity, integrated oxygen tanks, advanced trauma lighting, and compatibility with LAFD hose fittings. The acquisition is subject to Assembly Bill 481, California's law governing law enforcement procurement of equipment classified as military in nature. Under AB481, the Board of Police Commissioners must review and approve such purchases before they proceed. The Board did so on December 9, 2025, and Chief of Police Jim McDonnell transmitted the request to the Mayor, who forwarded it to the City Council on January 9, 2026. The existing vehicles will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis, keeping the fleet size unchanged, and the Motor Transport Division will handle ongoing maintenance. The Public Safety Committee waived its review on January 16, 2026, sending the item directly to the full Council. On January 20, the Council voted 9-3-3 to adopt the item — nine in favor, three opposed, and three not voting — a margin indicating some disagreement among councilmembers. The file closed January 22, 2026, when the Council action became final. The entire cost is covered by the Police Foundation grant, with no impact to the City's general fund.

Activity (6)

• 2026-01-22 Council action final.
• 2026-01-20 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-01-16 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on January 20, 2026.
• 2026-01-16 Public Safety Committee waived consideration of item .
• 2026-01-13 Board of Police Commissioners document(s) referred to Public Safety Committee.
• 2026-01-09 Document submitted by Mayor; Board of Police Commissioners, dated December 12, 2025.

Documents (3)

• 2026-01-22 Council Action · council_action
• 2026-01-20 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2025-12-12 Report from Board of Police Commissioners · report