HomeMy WebLinkAboutGallatin County Letter of Support 100213Brian M. Gootkin
Sheriff/Coroner
Dan Springer
Undersheriff
Warren Hiebert
Chaplain
Jeff Wade
Jail Administrator
615 South 16th
Bozeman, Montana 59715
(406) 582 -2100
FAX (406) 582-2126
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF/CORONER
GALLATIN COUNTY, MONTANA
Montana Department of Military Affairs
Disaster and Emergency Services
Grants Program
1956 MT. Majo Street
P.O. Box 4789
Fort Harrison 59636-4789
October 2nd, 2013
Dear Montana DES
I am writing this letter in support of the pending application of the Bozeman Police
Department’s armored vehicle. The City of Bozeman and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
have worked jointly for many years on specialized law enforcement cases. Our Tactical team has
been a joint team for over 20 years and has been recognized nationally as well as statewide as an
exceptional team.
I had the opportunity to serve as the tactical commander for the team for approximately 7 years.
During my time as the commander, I had a number of incidents where the availability of an
armored vehicle would have been appreciated. I recall times when we had to call jurisdictions as
far away as Billings and Great Falls in order to use some sort of armored vehicle. It was during
these times that the discussions began with the City of Bozeman and our office to start figuring
out a way for us to apply for such a vehicle. There have been times when we could not wait for
an armored vehicle to arrive and we used heavy equipment or other vehicles as barriers from a
dangerous situation.
The team has routinely deployed to multiple agencies throughout SW Montana. These agencies
include, Park County, Meagher County, Sweetgrass County, Madison County, Broadwater
County, Jefferson County an d Yellowstone National Park. We are the closest Type 1 team to all
of these jurisdictions and we are centrally located for an armored vehicle to be deployed to these
jurisdictions.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office wholly supports the idea of providing the City of Bozeman
with an armored vehicle.
Respectfully,
Dan Springer
Undersheriff