New larger and safer police divisional vans are taking to the roads, with the first of the fleet delivered to Kyneton.
The next-generation Ford Ranger vehicles – specially developed for Victoria Police – have begun replacing more than 250 existing vans in the force’s fleet.
The vans are ANCAP five-star safety rated, boasting features including 360-degree camera technology with cameras on the front, side mirrors and rear to assist with manoeuvring.
The larger prisoner pod has storage for police kit bags and operational equipment, which previously had to be put inside the vehicle’s cabin.
All new divisional vans are fitted with a steel bullbar and LED lightbar to enhance member safety, provide additional lighting, reduce downtime from animal collisions and provide extra stability – countering the prisoner pod’s weight.
Previously only vans in the country and urban fringe had bullbars.
The divisional van is considered the workhorse of Victoria Police’s vehicle fleet, with vehicles changed over once they reach 90,000km or three years in service.
Some vans in regional areas travel more than 15,000km a month – the equivalent of driving from Melbourne to Perth and back twice.
The next-generation Ford Ranger XLT – the most innovative vehicle Victoria Police has put on the road – has a 2.0L Bi-Turbo 154Kw engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering better performance and fuel economy.
The previous model was a six-speed automatic.
Autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring and assist are among the new models’ additional features.
Kyneton last month became the first area to get the new vehicle with Stawell to follow in coming weeks. It’s expected 15 new divisional vans will be delivered each month, with the changeover to take two years.
Superintendent Andrew Miles said the vehicles were bigger, better and would keep members safer.
“Be it in the city or out in the bush, we know they’ll be put to good use in helping police keep the community safe,” he said.
