New armoured rescue vehicle for WA Police

WA Police have been equipped with a second state-of-the-art armoured rescue vehicle to be used in emergency situations by the Tactical Response Group (TRG).

  • Armoured rescue vehicle to help increase police capacity to respond to incidents
  • Public to benefit from improved police response

WA Police have been equipped with a second state-of-the-art armoured rescue vehicle to be used in emergency situations by the Tactical Response Group (TRG).

The Bearcat (Ballistic Engineered Armoured Response Counter Attack Truck) is a multi-purpose rescue vehicle.

Police Minister Liza Harvey said the armoured rescue vehicle would increase WA Police's capacity to respond to hostile and armed offender incidents.

Mrs Harvey said the delivery of the second Bearcat was in line with the State Government's drive to ensure WA Police were provided with the most modern equipment possible.

"This is the second armoured rescue vehicle for WA Police," she said. "It will assist with the recovery and protection of civilians during terrorist threats, hostage incidents or encounters with armed offenders.

"It's an important and significant police asset and is another step towards making WA Police one of the most modern policing jurisdictions in Australia.

"In doing so, we aim to attract the best possible people to join WA Police."

The Minister said the Bearcat would complement other hi-tech equipment provided by the State Government to WA Police.

"This includes 48 Advanced Traffic Management Vehicles costing $3.78million and a hi-tech helicopter costing $20million," she said.

"In addition, we provided $1.3million for two high-capacity police transport vehicles designed to assist in the management of out-of-control parties."

Mrs Harvey said the TRG had been using the Bearcat in a variety of situations since 2007 when the first one was purchased by the State Government.

This second vehicle was purchased by the Federal Government through the Australia-New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee.

 

          Fact File

  • Liberal National Govt provided $3.78m to WA Police to update 48 of their vehicles with advance technology that can check about 1,000 vehicle number plates per hour

  • Liberal National Govt funded a $20m hi-tech helicopter for WA Police

  • Liberal National Govt allocated $1.3m for lease and fit-out of two police transport vehicles and $1.2m to double the number of operational general-purpose dogs

Minister's office - 6552 5900