A mine-resistant vehicle.
An explosive disposal robot.
20 rifles.
These are just a few of the military surplus items acquired by law enforcement in Champaign County over the last two decades. Under the federal Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) program, police agencies can request surplus firearms, vehicles, supplies and more and only pay for the transportation costs. If not given away, the equipment may otherwise be destroyed.
According to the LESO website, all equipment is given to law enforcement agencies in the United States. The website states that law enforcement agencies do not pay for the equipment, but instead pay for shipping and storage costs. At least 8,800 agencies have enrolled in the program.
Over the past 22 years, federal data shows the Champaign Police Department, Urbana Police Department and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office have requested equipment originally worth $907,784. Requests made by local law enforcement included conversion kits, rifles, unmanned vehicles, personal equipment, cleaning kits and more.
Controlled property – i.e., firearms, MRAPs, night vision devices, etc. – is loaned rather than donated to qualified law enforcement agencies. That equipment is inventoried and returned to the Defense Logistics Agency for disposition when the law enforcement agency no longer requires it, according an agency representative.
In the same period, data shows the Champaign Police Department has received vehicles and equipment worth $162,304.
The department’s biggest requests were for two unmanned vehicles valued at $130,435 total. One was acquired in 2021 valued at $77,060. The other was acquired in 2023 and was valued at $53,375.
Urbana police only received 20 rifles worth $12,480 — 10 in 2004 and 10 in 2014.
But Urbana Police Lieutenant Zachery Mikalik said the department is currently in the process of returning all acquired equipment from the LESO program.
“We hadn’t used the equipment in quite some time, and maintaining it requires extensive paperwork and strict adherence to government regulations regarding its use,” Mikalik said. “Given the time and effort involved, we decided it was no longer worthwhile to keep it in storage. The equipment was originally acquired before I became lieutenant, and those who managed that project have since retired.”
Federal data shows requests in Illinois are overwhelmingly for firearms and firearm accessories. Since 2020, however, requests have trended toward vehicles, supplies and firearm accessories.
Although the acquisition value is high, Champaign Police Deputy Chief Geoffrey Coon said in an email that these pieces of equipment are acquired for significantly less.
“Items acquired from LESO come at a substantial price reduction from their listed value,” Coon said. “As an example, in 2022, Champaign Police submitted a LESO request for a motorized cart – essentially a golf cart – for use in providing security at large events in Downtown Champaign. This cart is valued at $9,330.44 by LESO but was acquired by Champaign Police for just $75.”
Coon said these devices have no weapons or offensive use. Instead, they are small vehicles with cameras attached that are used to gather intelligence without potentially harming an officer.
Other items received include explosive ordinal disposal (EOD) devices and rifle conversion kits.
“Equipment is also ordered to ensure the department’s firearms are appropriately maintained and remain in working order,” Coon said. “Items have also been requested to train and equip officers to provide immediate medical assistance to victims of violence in the field, including tourniquets, medical training devices, and bandages.”
“Of all equipment transferred through LESO, less than 2% of equipment transferred are small arms and less than 1% are tactical vehicles,” LESO records show.
Despite such a small percentage, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office requested a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle worth $733,000 in 2014.
According to a News-Gazette article published in 2014, the vehicle was customized for police activity after being used during the wars in the Middle East. The sheriff’s office did not return a request for comment on whether the vehicle is still being used.
This same year, the LESO program faced backlash due to police response to a Black Lives Matter protest after the police shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri. Protestors questioned the police’s need for military-grade protection while dealing with unarmed protestors.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to clarify that LESO requests are not purchases made by law enforcement agencies.