Woodbridge Police Get a Grenade Launcher

By Rich Scinto (Patch Staff) and David Gurliacci (Patch Staff)

Woodbridge Police Department has a grenade launcher, a gift from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Police Department is one of three in the state to own its own grenade launcher. The other two are West Hartford and Meriden.

The police department also has a 5.56mm rifle and a utility truck, all surplus items and free from the Defense Department. The police agency is one of many in Connecticut and around the country to get surplus weaponry and gear through a federal program called “1033.”

The Pentagon recently released details showing which local police departments received what specific military gear through the 1033 Program.

The program was created during fiscal years 1990 and 1991 under the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes Congress to transfer excess DOD property to federal and state agencies to combat drug activities, according to the Defense Logistics Agency.

In fiscal year 1997 the program was expanded so all law enforcement agencies could participate. Since the inception of the program more than $5.1 billion worth of property has been transferred.

Local police departments and other law enforcement agencies can place requisition orders for specific items. The receiving agency is responsible for shipping and handling costs.

The 1033 Program drew more public interest after protests in Ferguson, MO after Michael Brown was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson.

Many Connecticut law enforcement agencies, including state police and local police departments, received excess gear from the program. Since the late 1990s, agencies in Connecticut received a gear with a combined value of more than $13.94 million.

Items can range from things as simple as a pair of trousers and tourniquets to mine-resistant vehicles and helicopters. Many departments also received an assortment of rifles.

Many MRAP vehicles are worth $733,000 and a helicopter obtained by the Stratford Police Department is worth more than $922,000.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized the lack of accountability and proper training for use of decommissioned military equipment through the 1033 and other programs at a September roundtable discussion.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in the same discussion that he can see why the program can be beneficial to local police departments. An MRAP may not be a perfect fit for a small department, but it’s better than nothing when it comes to vehicles that can handle tough terrain and debris.

Representatives from local police department officials at the roundtable discussion said it comes down more to proper use and training than possession.

Image: Department of Defense

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