Sheriff speaks out against order on military equipment

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen says he isn’t pleased with the president’s latest executive order restricting the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.

The order, issued Monday, prohibits federal agencies from giving equipment such as tracked armored vehicles, grenades or high-caliber weapons to local agencies.

Nielsen said his office has benefited from a federal program in the past that made much of this gear available to local law enforcement for free.

“I disagree with the president. He’s trying to paint a pretty broad picture with a really small brush,” said Nielsen.

While Nielsen said he doesn’t see the need for police to have grenades, his office does have what he calls an “armored personnel carrier” or “APC,” which it shares with six other counties. He said it’s generally used in high-risk situations such as standoffs.

“If we have somebody that’s out shooting randomly like we did in Fort Hall, I’ve got to evacuate. I’m using an armored personnel carrier,” said Nielsen. “They’re not tanks for heaven’s sake.”

While the sheriff’s office will no longer be able to acquire any more APCs from the federal government, it could potentially buy them from private sellers.

Nielsen said none of the sheriff’s office military-grade equipment can be used without his express permission.

Items restricted under the executive order include:

– Tracked armored vehicles
– Some camouflaged uniforms
– Bayonets
– Grenade launchers
– Weaponized aircraft
– Firearms/ammunition of .50 caliber or higher