The Honolulu Police Department has requested a $51,000 bullet-proof sport utility vehicle outfitted with emergency communication equipment for use by the chief of police and his command staff in the event of an emergency.

The department has asked for permission to transfer the money from HPD's asset forfeiture fund to buy the vehicle, which was not included in the department's annual capital improvement budget reviewed by the city council.

The forfeiture fund is used to supplement the department's training and equipment budget, and is maintained with proceeds from the sale of property seized by police from people accused of crimes.

Police are free to spend money from their asset forfeiture fund as they deem necessary, for any amount less than $50,000.

The city office of Budget and Fiscal Services is required to review any request for equipment purchases larger than $49,999 from any city department.

Budget and Fiscal Services has asked the department for further justification for the purchase.

"There wasn't a whole lot of detail in their request," said Mary Pat Waterhouse, city director of budget and fiscal services. "We want to make sure it is necessary."

The SUV would have computer equipment, a satellite phone, and communication gear linked to the city emergency management network.

It is a "fleet vehicle for the police department needed for use at the high command level and will function as a mobile command post in emergencies," according to the purchase request.

"The SUV is to be used by command-level staff as a mobile communications center during natural or man-made disasters and emergencies. It would be purchased with federal asset forfeiture funds at no cost to the city," said police Maj. Frank T. Fujii. "It could be used for homeland security if needed.

"Chief (Boisse) Correa is using the same car that Chief (Lee) Donohue used, a 2003 Mercury Marquis. The city offered to buy a new car for him when he took office, but he declined."

The coming fiscal year budget submitted by the police department and Mayor Mufi Hannemann asked for $5.5 million for 58 replacement patrol cars, 10 motorcycles, one helicopter and other equipment, but no SUV.

During a recent round of city budget hearings, the need for a tactical sport utility vehicle was not mentioned by police officials.

There must be a "pretty good reason" the vehicle did not come up during formal discussions of the equipment needs of the department, said city council budget chairman Todd K. Apo.

"To all of a sudden come up with this request, it raises some questions," Apo said. "We definitely need to understand the justification for spending this money, just like we do with any budget item."