By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve deployment of a tactical custom armored track loader, known as a TAC-CAT, to enhance law enforcement response capabilities during high-risk incidents.
- The nearly $400,000 device was donated by the San Diego Special Weapons and Tactics Association and features a remotely operated camera, robotic claw for breaching barriers, and capability to deploy non-lethal gas.
- Police officials stated the TAC-CAT provides advantages over larger armored vehicles in navigating dense neighborhoods, confined spaces, and challenging terrain while maintaining maneuverability and ballistic protection.
- The vehicle can be operated remotely or by officers inside and will be available for mutual aid deployment across San Diego County law enforcement agencies.
- San Diego borrowed a TAC-CAT from Riverside County in 2025 during a 31-hour standoff with an active shooter that demonstrated operational value in critical incidents.
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. — The San Diego City Council approved deployment of a tactical custom armored track loader designed to enhance officer and civilian safety during high-risk law enforcement operations and emergency response scenarios.
The device, designated TAC-CAT, was donated to the San Diego Police Department by the San Diego Special Weapons and Tactics Association. The nearly $400,000 vehicle features a wide-angle camera, robotic claw mechanism for breaching doors and walls, and capability to deploy non-lethal gas safely during tactical operations.
Police officials characterized the TAC-CAT as a force multiplication tool applicable to a range of incident types. The vehicle can be operated remotely or piloted by an officer seated inside, providing flexibility in deployment tactics.
According to police, the TAC-CAT offers distinct advantages compared to alternative armored vehicles. Traditional Bearcats and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, known as MRAPs, restrict maneuverability in dense residential neighborhoods and confined interior spaces. MRAPs also carry substantial maintenance costs and excessive bulk for most local law enforcement operations.
The TAC-CAT uses the chassis of a small loader, vehicles commonly deployed in agricultural and construction operations. This design provides durability, ballistic protection, and rugged all-terrain capability while maintaining the compact profile essential for urban environments.
Councilmember Raul Campillo issued a statement of support. “I know this tool will enhance officer and civilian safety in high-risk incidents. This could potentially be used for a variety of situations that are really important.”
Police stated the vehicle’s applications extend beyond tactical operations. The off-road capability enables access to areas inaccessible to conventional emergency vehicles, positioning the TAC-CAT as valuable during floods, wildfires, civil emergencies, severe weather events, and search-and-rescue operations.
San Diego police referenced a prior operational deployment during which officers borrowed a TAC-CAT from Riverside County in 2025 for a 31-hour standoff involving an active shooter barricaded in a south San Diego residence. Police stated the device’s performance during that incident demonstrated significant operational value.
The City Council’s Privacy Advisory Board approved the TAC-CAT in April after review of surveillance and privacy protocols. The board’s approval was cited as essential to City Council support. Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera stated he would not have voted for the vehicle without the privacy board’s assessment.
Officials addressed surveillance concerns by implementing protocols restricting cloud storage of camera footage. All footage remains stored locally.
Police characterized the TAC-CAT as a protective rather than aggressive tool. “The TAC-CAT is not a symbol of aggression—it’s a shield, not a sword. This is about protecting people, not about projecting power,” police stated in a staff report.
The vehicle will be available for deployment across San Diego County law enforcement agencies under mutual aid agreements, expanding access to the specialized equipment.
Annual maintenance costs are estimated at less than $10,000, according to city officials.
Councilmember Jennifer Campbell issued a brief statement of endorsement following the vote. “It’s a very well-thought-out idea,” Campbell stated.