City: MPD needs more vehicles because of wrecks Bids for 15 vehicles expected to be denied because of the need for five more

The council agenda calls for the rejection of a bid for 15 white police package vehicles for MPD and two red police package vehicles for the fire department. The cost of the four bids received range from $495,750 to $538,979.

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The Midland City Council is likely to reject all bids received for the purchase of new police vehicles, because the Midland Police Department needs more vehicles because of recent wrecks.

The council agenda calls for the rejection of a bid for 15 white police package vehicles for MPD and two red police package vehicles for the fire department. The cost of the four bids received range from $495,750 to $538,979.

Staff is hoping for bids to be reauthorized for two reasons. The first, according to a city memorandum, is because of recent wrecks and repairs that have occurred involving police units. The other is the police department is considering different color schemes and safer police units.

RELATED: MPD chief requests 'driving simulator'

Midland Police Department Chief Steve Henry wrote in a letter to the director of General Services, Fred Reyes, that the police department supports the purchase of five additional units over the original 15 units approved. He also wrote that MPD wanted to order “solid black units with the intent of having the door and roof areas painted white in color. … The classic two-tone black and white police color/marking scheme is part of an overall effort to make the patrol fleet very recognizable while operating on the public roadway and embracing community policing modalities.”

Driving safety recently has been an issue for the police department. Earlier this month, the council approved the issuance of requests for proposals for a driving simulator for the police department, according to city documents. The equipment will be used to train personnel in emergency and patrol-driving techniques.

Midland police have been involved in at least three high-profile wrecks since November 2016, including a crash on Christmas Eve that killed a Midland man. A former MPD officer was indicted for his role in that wreck in central Midland.

Staff recommends rejecting all bids for the two red police package vehicles for the fire department to re-evaluate and revise the specifications.