Kentucky State Police unveil new, unusual bulletproof vehicle
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky State Police purchased Rook, an armored vehicle, in December 2025.
- Rook has been deployed eight times and is described as a life-saving tool.
- The vehicle was funded by the asset forfeiture fund sourced from seized criminal proceeds.
Kentucky State Police has added a new bulletproof, armored vehicle to its disposal, and the agency said it has already proven to be a positive addition.
The vehicle, nicknamed “Rook,” is a specialized, versatile armored vehicle that can assist with hostage situations, barricaded subjects, riot response and natural disaster scenarios. State police said Rook is smaller compared to traditional armored vehicles, which provides law enforcement more safety and access in confined spaces.
The vehicle was purchased in December 2025. State police said it has used Rook eight times already, and it has proven to be “a life-saving tool.”
“Our brave law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to make our communities safer,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release. “Providing them the resources they need not only boosts public safety, but also helps ensure they can return home safely to their family at the end of each shift.”
Rook has multiple interchangeable attachments, such as an armored cage for officials operating the vehicle and a hydraulic fork that can remove large obstacles. State police said Rook is the only similar vehicle in the state and one of 108 in the country.
“It doesn’t just impact officer safety, but the safety of all involved during high-risk tactical operations – including innocent civilians who may be caught in harm’s way, and even suspects,” State Police Special Response Team Captain Dallas Greer said in the news release. “This capability allows us to de-escalate tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situations from a position of distance and cover while applying best practices that prioritize safety and, more often than not, lead to a peaceful resolution.”
The vehicle was paid for by the asset forfeiture fund. State police said the fund is solely supported by money seized from criminal activity, which is then used to pay for police equipment at no additional cost to Kentucky taxpayers.
“This purchase is the direct result of successful investigative efforts by our troopers, turning funds that were derived from criminal activity into tools that help us combat crime and protect Kentuckians,” State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said in the news release.
