Western Australia Police has announced it is to acquire two new specialist armoured vehicles that will boost its ability to respond to terrorist attacks and other high power emergencies.
Known as BearCats, or Ballistic Engineered Armoured Response Counter Attack Trucks, the vehicles provide ballistic protection for police negotiators and tactical teams when responding to incidents where suspects have firearms or explosive devices and threatened to use them.
The vehicles will be purpose-built by US company Lenco, a leading designer and manufacturer of armoured vehicles for law enforcement and defence. The cost for two will be $1.1 million.
The vehicles are bullet and blast resistant and specially designed to fit in an entire Tactical Response Group team and their specialist equipment.
Minister for Police, Paul Papalia said that with the safety of the community a priority of the Government, the BearCats were a valuable asset for tactical police who were often at the front line of dangerous and sometimes hostile situations.
“It means they will have the latest and most modern equipment to safely resolve what can sometimes be extremely volatile situations,” Mr Papalia said.
“Our specialist police officers are world-class, both in training and their response to emergencies.”
He said the Government was committed to making sure police were equipped with world-class equipment and the resources they need to keep the community safe.
“These new specialist vehicles will ensure our police have the capability they need to rapidly and effectively respond in the event of a terrorism incident or other emergency,” the Minister said.
