After an accident claimed one of McMinnville Police Department’s (MPD) SUVs, the department appeared before the city’s Safety Committee on Tuesday to request a replacement. In early January, the vehicle – a 2018 Ford Explorer patrol unit driven by Officer Jody Cavanaugh – was rear-ended by another motorist and subsequently totaled.

The prospective replacement car for MPD would be purchased from Ford of Murfreesboro and is a 2025 Police Interceptor Utility AWD totaling $44,876. This money was not previously set aside during budget time as it was an unexpected expense, but MPD Police Chief Nichole Mosley indicated some of the cost could be off-set by insurance.

“It was out of our control, we were rear-ended, so this car would replace it,” Mosley said. “Insurance estimates it will pay $10,249 and the rest we will be able to find in the general fund.”

The new vehicle is reportedly on the lot and ready for the city to purchase it.

Committee member Sally Brock motioned to support the request and Deitra Dunlap seconded. All members of the committee agreed with the motion and the request now goes to the city’s full Board of Mayor and Aldermen for consideration as a resolution during its regularly scheduled Feb. 22 meeting on Tuesday.