Columbia adds military armored vehicle to force

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Columbia Police now have a bullet–proof armored vehicle once owned by the military. Interim Police Chief Ruben Santiago says the $658,000 vehicle was donated to the department through the Defense Department’s excess property program. The vehicle seats nine, including one officer in the turret. Its official name is a “Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicle. Santiago says the new vehicle can be used in hostage situations where someone is barricaded with weapons. The vehicle made its debut Monday in Columbia’s Veterans Day parade.