(The Grand Haven Tribune)- The Michigan State Police General Purpose vehicle set to be on display at the Grand Haven Township fire station Thursday is a lot different from the police vehicles Thomas Gayer sees in his native Munich.
"We don't have something huge like that in Germany," the 16-year-old exchange student said. "We have some normal cars, but nothing bigger like that."
The Marshall 6x6x6 GPV will join other police and fire vehicles at the fire station located at 13300 168th Ave. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, part of an event to give the German students a feel for American law enforcement.
Gayer and several of his classmates are in Grand Haven for three weeks as part of a one-on-one exchange, said Grand Haven High School German teacher Ted Rossman. The students have already visited the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, and a trip to Chicago has been planned to immerse them in the American culture.
"Because they're learning the language it would be nice for them to get to know the people," Rossman said.
In June, the Grand Haven students hosting the Germans will travel to Munich for three weeks to complete the exchange. During a parent meeting prior to the German student's arrival, Gayer's host father, Sgt. Rich Gorajec of the Michigan State Police's Emergency Support Team, suggested bringing the GPV to Grand Haven.
"I saw a picture and was like 'Wow, we've got to get this thing,'" Rossman said.
The massive vehicle weighs nearly 12 tons and can seat 12 people. It holds just under 106 gallons of fuel and despite it's tank-like appearance, is street legal and can reach speeds of nearly 70 mph.
"You would think it moves like a Tiger tank," Gorajec said. "That thing can move."
Powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 400 horsepower, the Marshall 6x6x6 was built in Michigan and is normally kept in Lansing, Gorajec said. It has been part of the state police's fleet for the last year and a half. Other features include four thermal and four optical cameras and a ram.
"It goes to any barricaded situation where we might face hostile gunfire," Gorajec said.
That's a far cry from the German police presence, which mainly consists of officers patrolling the streets in a fleet of BMWs, Gayer said. There are a lot of police stations and police cars, he said, but nothing nearly as big as the GPV.
"I think everything (here) is a little bit bigger than in Munich," he said.
While Gayer thinks law enforcement is very interesting, he hasn't thought much about pursuing it as a career, he said. As for now, he just wants to compare American and German law enforcement and is looking forward to taking a closer look at the GPV.
"It will be great," he said.
In addition to the GPV, the state police will also display a Charger and an Emergency Support Team Pool Van. Grand Haven Township Fire and Rescue will have all their vehicles on display, Chief Tom Gerencer said, and visitors will be able to use some fire suppression equipment. The display will be open to the public.
By Brian Keilen, The Grand Haven TribuneIn your voice
