MPD’s Newest Truck

MILAN, N.M. –

The Village of Milan Police Department received a police equipped Dodge Ram from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office on May 11. The truck became available thanks to a newly forged partnership between SCSO and MPD, the partnership will help both agencies stay equipped, prepared, and ready for whatever may come their way. The truck has been reviewed by the Village of Milan mechanic and is in good working order, it will need to have MPD decals placed on the truck and should be on the streets of Milan in a few weeks.

Chief Carl Ustupski of MPD has made an effort to equip the small department with top-of-the-shelf equipment. Chief Ustupski has been in need of a new police cruiser, as the “Chief’s Car” as it has been known, does not have a cage in the back to separate an arrested individual from the arresting officer. Other than the “Chief’s Car” there was only one extra cruiser available from MPD’s old fleet of white cruisers. Ustupski saw an urgent need for his department, and began to work on a plan that would bring a new vehicle to MPD.

Having worked at Grants Police Department, Ustupski reached out to his old commanding officer, who has since become a lieutenant at SCSO, John Castaneda. SCSO recently acquired funding to purchase new police cruisers and had the opportunity to share a cruiser with a department in need.

Castaneda and Ustupski have a long history of working and learning together, having undergone many trainings, including a special SWAT training. After being approached by Chief Usutpski, Castaneda checked with his fleet manager and asked if there were any vehicles which could be sent to a smaller agency in need, after ensuring that the SCSO fleet would be fine, Casteneda approached Sandoval County Sheriff Jesse James Casaus who confirmed that SCSO’s fleet would remain strong and signed off on sending the truck to MPD.

After months of effort, the Sandoval County Board of Commissioners voted and approved the transfer from their ownership to the Village of Milan. On May 10, the cruiser arrived in Milan to the surprise of many who were not expecting the truck to be in the great shape it is.

The truck is spacious, with special areas to store firearms, a spot to place a mounted computer, there are inside-mounted cameras, and a cage to separate arrestees from the officers. With a new vehicle in their fleet, MPD will be able to move around vehicles and give the Milan Code enforcer her own vehicle without needing to break into the reserves.

This new partnership with Sandoval County is a case of law enforcement support law enforcement. They may work for two different governments, but the public servants in both agencies saw a need, and fulfilled that need while keeping the Village of Milan safe and equipped. Chief Ustupski is a Drug Recognition Expert, he will be taking his expertise to Sandoval County where he will help train Sandoval County deputies. Working together, the agencies will increase pubic safety in their respective areas.

Chief Ustupski expressed his gratitude to Sheriff Casaus and Lt. Castaneda, and the Sandoval County Board of Commissioners for their assistance in getting the truck to Milan Police Department.