LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – As you may have heard by now, Sheriff Mark Garber has a half-cent sales tax proposal on the ballot Saturday in effort to raise officer pay, improve facilities, and replace outdated equipment.

However, recent online activity by one organization implies the sheriff’s office is being frivolous with the funds it already has.

On December 3, the Police Association of Lafayette posted on Facebook about Sheriff Mark Garber purchasing two .50 caliber rifles valued at nearly $15,000 a piece.

The association followed up Tuesday with another purchase by the sheriff; this time an armored vehicle to the tune of about $250,000.

In response to these posts, Sheriff Garber sent a letter to Lafayette Police Chief Toby Aguillard suggesting the action of the police union lacked judgment and ethics in sharing sensitive information.

A memo from LPSO says potential suspects having information on SWAT team equipment jeopardizes the safety of responding law enforcement.

The sheriff also said he was suspending any joint conferences and training with LPD until “we can assure the integrity of your personnel.”

Chief Aguillard responded by saying he will look into the matter but he does not believe any form of policy was broken by the police union.

He said his officers are private citizens representing the union, a private organization.