Polson gets funding for SWAT gear

Polson Police Department has been awarded a $72,000 federal grant to purchase quick-response protective equipment.

Police Chief Wade Nash said the funding is being made available through Homeland Security and FEMA. He said Lake County has typically relied on outside law enforcement agencies to deal with SWAT team situations.

“If we had a standoff or barricaded subject here in town, Lake County doesn’t have a SWAT team or special response team,” Nash told the City Commission at its May 18 meeting. “So we rely heavily on Flathead County, Kalispell Police Department or Missoula Police Department if we have a major deal going on in our county.”

“Now, if we have a major incident, we can contain that situation until we can get a more specialized team down here,” he added. “That’s a huge deal.”

The funding will be accessible in October.