Wichita Police Get OK to Buy Four Custom Vehicles for Up to $2.65M

City council approves contracts with LDV Inc. for a command vehicle, bomb squad truck and two community outreach units

September 18, 2026 · MPF Staff

White and silver sheriff bomb squad vehicle with black grille and protective cage — Image Credit: Wichita Police Department / Facebook

Key Takeaways

Wichita police approved $2.65M contract for four custom vehicles: mobile command center ($879,630), bomb squad truck ($661,867) and two community outreach vehicles ($427,845 each).
Command vehicle adds dedicated workspace, communications systems and tech for managing major incidents, active threats, criminal investigations and multi-agency coordination in the field.
New bomb squad truck replaces vehicle at end of service life, supports explosive device responses within Wichita, large public events and regional mutual-aid requests.

Wichita, Kan., city council voted 7-0 to award contracts to LDV Inc. of Wisconsin for four custom-built police vehicles at a combined cost of up to $2.65 million.

The contract covers a mobile command vehicle at $879,630, a bomb squad truck at $661,867 and two community outreach vehicles at $427,845 each. All four figures are estimates that may change during the build.

The command vehicle will function as a field office for managing major incidents and extended public safety operations. According to the city’s agenda report, it will carry dedicated workspace, communications systems, technology and logistical capabilities, and is intended for deployment during active threats, major criminal investigations, hazardous incidents, severe weather, search and rescue operations, large public events and other incidents requiring multi-agency coordination.

The bomb squad truck will transport and store specialized equipment for responses to explosive devices and other hazards. “The vehicle will support responses within Wichita as well as large public events and regional mutual-aid requests requiring specialized bomb-disposal capabilities,” the city’s report said. The department’s existing bomb squad vehicle “has reached the end of its operational service life and is no longer suitable for the long-term needs of the unit,” the report said; it will be sold once the new truck is operational.

The two community outreach vehicles will give officers a mobile workspace to deliver services in areas where a permanent police facility is impractical or unavailable. The city’s report lists intended uses including neighborhood meetings, community events, schools, public safety education, recruiting, victim and resident assistance, report-taking and special events. “The purpose of these vehicles is not to replace direct interaction among officers and residents, but to provide the infrastructure necessary to make police services more accessible in locations where those interactions are already occurring,” the report said.

Renderings of the completed vehicles were not available as of the council’s September 12, 2026 meeting date.

The contracts now proceed to the build phase with LDV Inc.