Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino is dropping a request to the U.S. Department of Defense surplus supply program for two heavily armored mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, according to media reports.

Three months ago, the ACLU of New Jersey and 150 of its supporters wrote to Sheriff Saudino urging him to withdraw from the DOD 1033 Program his application for the 18-ton vehicles specifically designed to withstand the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that ground troops encountered during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ACLU-NJ Public Policy Director Ari Rosmarin made the following statement in response to the media reports:

“Sheriff Saudino’s decision clearly validates the concerns expressed by the ACLU of New Jersey and Bergen County residents. The best way to keep our cities and towns safe is to build trust and cooperation through community policing, not instilling a “warrior” mentality among police officers.

“The continuing militarization of local police departments is a serious concern for all of New Jersey. Officers should not be patrolling Main Street with grenade launchers and M-16 automatic rifles. Even if proper training is happening, the militarization of police is a disaster waiting to happen.

“New Jersey deserves greater transparency when it comes to decisions surrounding the acquisition of this surplus military equipment, including public discussion and approval by local elected officials, as well as strict regulations and standard operating procedures to ensure that such weaponry is used only by those with adequate training and only when absolutely necessary.”

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