Medina approves buying 2 new patrol vehicles for police department

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday approved buying two new patrol vehicles for the police department, and also announced the board is close to new collective bargaining agreement with the union for the police officers.

The department has been operating about half strength with officers, including its former police chief, leaving for other departments where the pay is significantly higher.

The board said it is committed to rebuilding the department. The officers have been without a contract for about 3 ½ years.

The Medina PD currently has three marked patrol vehicles and an unmarked car.

The board approved spending $66,701 each for Ford Explorers that will be outfitted with light bars, steel cage, and other equipment. The vehicles will be purchased from Bob Johnson Ford in Avon at the state bid price.

Medina will pay for them through a Bind Anticipation Note to be paid over three years. The interest rate is expected to be between 4 and 5 percent.

The new vehicles are expected to arrive in the spring, Police Chief Corey Black said.

The department has two Tahoes  with mileage in the 50,000 to 60,000 range, Black said. Both have had engine trouble but he expects they can last with less wear and tear once the new vehicles join the fleet.

There is a Ford Explorer with about 140,000 miles that Black expects to be sold once the new vehicles arrive. The unmarked car is a Malibu that Black said has a lot of miles. He said that vehicle could stay with the village, but might be better utilized for other departments to go to conferences and trainings.

Black said he would ultimately like to see the Medina PD get on a schedule of replacing a vehicle every four years.