Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – At least two Springfield City Council meetings worth of discussion wasn’t enough to dissuade more aldermen from voting in favor of a new armored vehicle being purchased for Springfield Police.

Aldermen Monday, in a meeting moved because of the primary election Tuesday, voted 7-2 in favor of spending $445,000 on the new vehicle, like the one pictured above.  The purchase had already been approved by the council once, when they approved the Police Department’s budget.

Some in the public and on the council felt the purchase of a vehicle sends the wrong message, while Police Chief Joe Behl said the 20-year-old vehicle it’s replacing no longer starts, but has become an asset to have in a serious law enforcement situation.  Behl also said it can protect both the public and police officers in situations where there may be a standoff or one for the need of a SWAT team.

One alderman was absent Monday evening.

This story may be updated.