I can't believe this is a story....seriously: use less equipment, make some of it more compact, it's hardly putting a man on the moon is it.
Another non story 
You are right to be suspicious of the source of the story BJ coming as it does from a Fox News on-air contributor.
Leaving aside that aspect of the matter it is seldom an option for officers to jettison equipment as most of it is deemed necessary in the first place - duty requirement, performance obligation, efficiency potential, health and safety adherence, arse covering and so on.
It is a fact - unfortunately - that how policing is practically applied (equipment wise) at the user-end of the whole process is viewed using sometimes entirely different criteria depending on where that assessment is being made. This is a universal given and is of course what gives the story legs.
The idea that these vehicles were not tested fully against envisaged duty requirements is laughable as there is seldom a one-size-fits-all vehicle to convey Robert about his/her lawful duties.