My two cents, I've worked with GSA surplus for many years, I would say the the DPW can get items, but maybe some one in the town has directed only police can or the person working surplus issues in the PD is more energetic than anyone in the DPW. I'm sure the town has appointed one person as the GSA coordinator, my guess is he works for the PD! It's town procured, so letting the DPW use it would not be breaking GSA rules as they are part of the same town. Just my thoughts!
On the Military side, I've had them in my unit, yes they are faster and you don't need to trailer them to a project, and the JD backhoe is awesome! The downside is the bucket, 3/4 yard is useless or it was for us, and there is a lack of power to it, so it was now well liked. BUT, it was cool and fun to drive! The Military replaced them with a much better unit!