Police departments across New Jersey received thousands of military hand-me-downs -- including 13 heavily-armored vehicles -- over the past two years valued at nearly $40 million. 

Despite concerns about militarizing local departments, in the second half of last year alone, 13 mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, or MRAPs, were shipped to a dozen municipal police departments and a sheriff's office, data obtained by NJ Advance Media shows.

The equipment has been distributed as part of a federal program that started in the mid-1990s and allows local agencies to order the surplus items for free, paying only shipping and maintenance costs.

Local agencies reported they planned to use the MRAPs in water rescues, terrorist attacks or any situation where SWAT would respond, which can include transporting law enforcement to and from protests.

But acquiring the vehicles has not been without controversy in New Jersey. Three years ago, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office withdrew its request for the 13-ton truck, saying "it was no longer worth the effort."

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