Glen Carbon Approves Police Equipment Purchases, Extra Dispatcher

GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department is getting new vehicles, vests, and an additional dispatcher with the Village Board’s recent approval.

Trustees unanimously approved allowing the police department to exceed authorized manning for dispatchers by one position at their Jan. 27, 2026 meeting. Police Chief Todd Link explained that one of the department’s senior telecommunicators will be leaving the agency to move out of state within the next month or two.

Given the time it takes to hire a new telecommunicator – and the 420 minimum training hours required – Link asked to exceed the department’s previously authorized manning for dispatchers by one so the replacement dispatcher can be well-trained and ready to take the place of the outgoing telecommunicator.

Trustees also unanimously approved the purchase of two new police vehicles: a 2026 Ford Explorer Interceptor for $47,586 and a 2026 Ford Explorer Utility Vehicle for $42,685, both from Weber Ford of Granite City. Also approved was $21,248.26 bid from VIP Commercial Upfits to fully equip the new Utility Vehicle with lights, sirens, and other equipment to make it a fully functional police vehicle.

A resolution to purchase a set of Angel Armor brand police vests for $52,000 was also approved, with the funds to be sourced from the village’s “seized assets” account. These protective vests will be custom made for all 28 police officers in the department.

Link said he received an updated quote for $44,900 for the vests, which have numerous advantages over the department’s current vest system, including lighter weight and superior ballistic protection. The department plans to keep some of the old vests on hand and donate the rest to other local police agencies.

These marks the latest in a series of exciting developments for the Glen Carbon PD, which is also moving towards a $2.1 million overhaul of its police station; more details are available in this story on Riverbender.com.

More like this:

Glen Carbon Approves Police Equipment Donations, Dispatch Agreement

Today

Alton Police K9 Rico Receives Protective Vest Donation

Mar 18, 2026

Glen Carbon Adds Master Development Agreement To STAR Bond District Proposal

2 days ago

Madison County Board Approves Key Appointments and Zoning Measures

Apr 15, 2026

Storm-Related Crash on I-270 Prompts Caution Urged by Police

5 days ago