Consent 1.E.
City Council Regular Business Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/12/2026
- TITLE
- Approval to Purchase Rook Armored Response Vehicle (ROOK) in the Amount of $519,140
- PRESENTED BY:
- Shawn Mayo
- Department:
- Police
Presentation:
No
Legal Review:
No
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approve the purchase of Rook Armored Response Vehicle for the Billings Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team in the amount of $519,140.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Billings Police Department (BPD) has been awarded $495,000 through the 2025 State Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase a Rook Armored Response Vehicle (Rook) for the Department's SWAT Team.
The Rook is designed to provide ballistic protection and secure transportation for personnel and equipment during a wide range of critical incidents. Potential applications include hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, active-shooter incidents, civil disturbances, natural disasters, and public evacuations.
Unlike traditional armored response vehicles, the Rook is designed to operate effectively in confined environments, including areas inside and immediately adjacent to public buildings. It can be used to transport personnel or equipment and support surveillance operations. The vehicle also accommodates mission-specific attachments that can be configured and changed based on operational requirements, providing additional flexibility and safety for tactical personnel.
The City Council approved acceptance of the $495,000 2025 State Homeland Security Grant at its March 9, 2026 meeting for the purchase of the Rook. Due to delays in the release of grant funds, the cost of the vehicle has increased from the original $495,000 estimate to $519,140. The Billings Police Department will fund the $24,140 difference through the General Fund.
The Rook is designed to provide ballistic protection and secure transportation for personnel and equipment during a wide range of critical incidents. Potential applications include hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, active-shooter incidents, civil disturbances, natural disasters, and public evacuations.
Unlike traditional armored response vehicles, the Rook is designed to operate effectively in confined environments, including areas inside and immediately adjacent to public buildings. It can be used to transport personnel or equipment and support surveillance operations. The vehicle also accommodates mission-specific attachments that can be configured and changed based on operational requirements, providing additional flexibility and safety for tactical personnel.
The City Council approved acceptance of the $495,000 2025 State Homeland Security Grant at its March 9, 2026 meeting for the purchase of the Rook. Due to delays in the release of grant funds, the cost of the vehicle has increased from the original $495,000 estimate to $519,140. The Billings Police Department will fund the $24,140 difference through the General Fund.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Billings Police Department SWAT Team and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) Tactical Response Team (TRT) currently share a single armored response vehicle. The vehicle is more than 15 years old and serves as the primary armored response resource for both tactical teams.
Together, BPD SWAT and the YCSO TRT provide tactical response services to a combined population of nearly 180,000 residents within Yellowstone County, the largest-populated county in Montana. In addition, the seven counties bordering Yellowstone County represent approximately 230,000 additional residents within the surrounding region.
Maintaining a single, aging armored response vehicle for two tactical teams creates operational limitations and presents a potential response-capacity concern when both agencies require armored transportation or protection at the same time. Acquisition of a dedicated Rook would provide BPD with an additional modern tactical resource and improve the Department's ability to respond to critical incidents while providing enhanced protection for officers and the communities they serve.
Together, BPD SWAT and the YCSO TRT provide tactical response services to a combined population of nearly 180,000 residents within Yellowstone County, the largest-populated county in Montana. In addition, the seven counties bordering Yellowstone County represent approximately 230,000 additional residents within the surrounding region.
Maintaining a single, aging armored response vehicle for two tactical teams creates operational limitations and presents a potential response-capacity concern when both agencies require armored transportation or protection at the same time. Acquisition of a dedicated Rook would provide BPD with an additional modern tactical resource and improve the Department's ability to respond to critical incidents while providing enhanced protection for officers and the communities they serve.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The 2025 State Homeland Security Grant will provide $495,000 toward the purchase of the Rook Armored Response Vehicle. The total purchase price is $519,140. The Billings Police Department will provide the remaining $24,140 from the General Fund.
- State Homeland Security Grant: $495,000
- Billings Police Department General Fund: $24,140
- Total Purchase Price: $519,140
STAKEHOLDERS
N/A
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the purchase of the Rook Armored Vehicle in the amount of $519,140; or,
- Not approve the purchase of the Rook Armored Vehicle in the amount of $519,140 and provide further direction to staff.