Almost two dozen Wisconsin law enforcement agencies are trying to get dump truck-sized surplus armored vehicles from the U.S. Army.

The St. Croix County and Juneau County sheriff’s departments, along with the Madison Police Department already have Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs). It’s a six wheel drive, three-axle mobile shield used in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to protect troops from roadside bombs.

Superior Police Chief Charles LaGesse says they’re getting one.

“A regular squad car or ambulance or fire truck is not cover from bullets, especially a rifle round which would easily go through just about any motor vehicle,” said LaGesse. “So that (MRAP) essentially provides mobile cover so that officers can drive into an area and deal with a threat.”

An MRAP is worth around a million dollars, which is too expensive for many law enforcement agencies. But the Army is storing them in a Texas depot as surplus, and offering them to police if they pay to transport them.

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That’s being coordinated by Wisconsin Emergency Management. Administrator Brian Satula says about two dozen are heading to Wisconsin police.

“They have made a determination that that’s a capability that they need and as a result of this program, they’re able to acquire the equipment at only the cost of shipping,” said Satula.

That cost is usually $5,000. But because of its heavily armored unusual look, LaGesse says it’s important people realize how the 16-ton vehicles will be used: “What its capabilities are and what we’re not using it for,” said LaGesse. “It’s not an enhanced patrol vehicle or an attempt to become a military unit. This allows protection for a group of officers. It can provide cover for civilians who need to be escorted from a position of danger.”

Superior expects its MRAP in early May.