The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is expressing concern after being forced to give their armored vehicle up to the federal government. It's a move that is not sitting well with the sheriff.
He says the vehicle is key equipment against an active shooter situation, like what happened in California.
On Wednesday, in San Bernardino, police used armored vehicles at the shooting massacre--they're the same kind of military surplus vehicles law enforcement agencies in metro Detroit are being forced to give back to the federal government beginning today.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says the vehicles are being recalled by the Obama administration, something he's not happy about, saying the vehicles are the best defense against active shooters.
An example, he says, Macomb County last used their armored vehicle to help catch the man who killed a West Bloomfield police officer. About 500-rounds were fired and the vehicle was used to help evacuate neighbors from homes that were being hit by gunfire.
But, the Obama administration says military vehicles could send the wrong message in communities--and are being used more and more against people during protests and riots like the ones in Ferguson, Missouri.
Back in May, President Obama said the military equipment can alienate and intimidate local residents.
Sheriff Bouchard says not having them puts officers at risk.
Oakland county lost heir military vehicle today, and Wayne and Macomb counties are also being forced to return their armored vehicles.
Sheriff Bouchard says after yesterday's mass shooting in California, he was contacted by Homeland Security to talk about the future of the vehicles here in metro Detroit.
