WATERTOWN, S.D.(KWAT)–It’s about saving lives.

That’s what Watertown Police Chief Tim Toomey repeatedly told the city council Monday night as they talked about, for a second time, allowing the police department to purchase a new armored vehicle.

The council gave the city manager approval last month to sign a purchase order for the vehicle, but council members wanted to discuss it further after the public questioned the need for it, and its cost.

Toomey recognized the armored car and its $336,000 cost is in his words, “a huge investment,” but at the end of the day, he says it’s not a want, but a need.

Before becoming police chief, Toomey was the commander of Watertown’s SWAT team. He says the need for a n armored vehicle during a high-risk call can pop up anytime, anywhere.

Mayor Ried Holien was fully supportive of the purchase, and explained why.

Because the city council agreed last month to the purchase, the mayor did not call for a second vote at Monday night’s meeting, but every council member spoke out in support of it.

Toomey says they were able to reduce the cost of the armored vehicle $16,000 by switching from a diesel engine to a gas engine.

He says the police department will be applying for a $100,000 grant from the federal Homeland Security Department, which if approved, will be applied to the overall purchase price.