Since 2008, the Bellingham Police Department has deployed the Bearcat armored vehicle to weapons calls, hostage situations, flooding rescues and more, without having to deploy a full SWAT team.
The department paid $250,000 for the 20,000-pound Lenco armored vehicle. It is constructed from a Ford F-550 Super Duty truck with a steel body 0.5 to 1.5 inches thick and ballistic glass. Prior to 2008, the department relied on a pickup truck they surrounded with hand shields for protection in weapons calls and other crime responses.
The vehicle also features a public address system to communicate with suspects from the safety and protection of the armored vehicle. A turret roof hatch opens from the center of the vehicle, allowing officers to deploy gas and other equipment safely with the open door as a shield. It can hold up to a dozen fully equipped officers.
The vehicle can also be used to rescue downed vehicles or civilians in emergency situations. When parts of Whatcom County flooded in November 2021, Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy said the Bearcat was used to rescue more than 30 people — thanks to its off-road capabilities.
