Why does a small town need an MRAP?

"Councilman Blasts PD's Acquisition of MRAP Vehicle, City Manager 'Not Happy'

Banning city council members and city staff were not consulted publicly or in closed session about Banning PD's acquisition of an 18-ton Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle they crashed in September, a Banning councilman said Tuesday."

Long story short, PD took delivery of an MRAP without notifying the city manager.  MRAP was being driven hom, and had a blowout which caused it to take out a pickup truck, leaving the City of Banning on the hook for over 40 grand.

But wait, there's more.


"Police Acquisition of Armored Vehicles, Costly Crash Under Scrutiny

The Banning Police Department's acquisition of a surplus Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and their subsequent crash of the heavily-armored truck in Arizona took place three months ago, but an acting police commander and the city's spokesman said Thursday they could not comment because a personnel investigation is still under way."

If you read some of the comments on both stories, there appears to be a war going on between certain council members and the city manager.

My question is this.

Doesn't the city manager control the police departments budget and acquisitions?

If so, then why wasn't the city manager aware of the MRAP?