Police Department Acquires $600k Military Vehicle 'Built to Withstand Arms Fire, Mine Blasts, IEDs, and Other Emerging Threats

UPDATE — 10:45am ET: 

Dallas County Sheriff's Department Spokeswoman Carmen Castro told TheBlaze in an email that the vehicle will be "an efficient way to ensure that deputies are prepared if and when a dangerous situation arises."

"It's acquisition is a great way to put a special tactical vehicle to use on domestic ground," she added. "The vehicle was obtained at no cost to tax payers [sic]."

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An image of the armored vehicle. (Credit: Dallas County Sheriff's Department)

The Dallas County Sheriffs Department acquired a military vehicle designed for overseas combat earlier this month.

Dallas County sheriff's deputies traveled to Fort Hood earlier this month to pick up a MaxxPro MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, according to the Dallas Observer.

"The International® MaxxPro is Navistar Defence’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and incorporates the latest design in armoring technology," according to the Navistar website. "Extensively tested by the military and used in theater today, the MaxxPro features a V-shaped hull and other design features that greatly improve survivability."

"The MaxxPro MRAP is built to withstand ballistic arms fire, mine blasts, IEDs, and other emerging threats," the website continues. "Its V-shaped hull helps deflect blasts out and away from the crew and its armoring can be customized to meet any mission requirement."

WATCH: The MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle in action:

"With so much protection, it’s the vehicle that every crew wants when they’re out in the field," it adds.

The police department was able to get their hands on the $600,000 vehicle with 10,000 miles for nothing. According to the Dallas Observer, the Department of Defense was had no use for the vehicles and has given them to local police departments instead of letting them collect dust in warehouses.

A spokesperson for the Dallas County Sheriff's Department was not immediately available for comment to TheBlaze Saturday morning. However, Chief Deputy Marlin Suell did comment on how his department will theoretically use the vehicle.

"Having a tactical vehicle will not only provide warrants execution with the equipment to assist in performing their jobs but will provide an overall safety arch," Suell reportedly wrote to commissioners.

(H/T: Dallas Observer)

Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect that the police department obtained a heavily armored military vehicle, not a tank.

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