Justice Minister Cliff Cullen (second from right) and Chief Wayne Balcaen of the Brandon Police Service (BPS) pose next to a rendering of an armoured rescue vehicle in May 2019. Minister Cullen was also joined by Sgt. Kirby Sararas (right) and Const. Jeff Hoad (far left). (GOV.MB.CA)
The Brandon police have a new tactical vehicle at their disposal to respond to high-risk situations in southwest Manitoba.
The armoured rescue vehicle (ARV) was unveiled Thursday and came at a cost of nearly $400,000 to the province.
“The addition of the armoured rescue vehicle to our fleet will allow for increased safety for both the citizens we serve and the police officers that are tasked with bringing these high-risk situations to a safe conclusion,” said Chief Wayne Balcaen, Brandon Police Service.
“If deployed during a live event, citizens and police are provided an incredibly safe option. Having the ARV available for all of Westman is essential as we continue to work collaboratively with our justice partners.”
The ARV is equipped with ballistic armour and can carry up to 10 officers.
Brandon police will also make the vehicle available to other police agencies in the region to support their responses to high-risk incidents.
Winnipeg police received their own armoured rescue vehicle in 2016 at a cost of $343,000, now known as ARV1.
Brandon Police have unveiled their new Armoured Rescue Vehicle. “An early Christmas gift,” Chief Wayne Balcaen says. #bdnmb pic.twitter.com/uK7DjkPNqB
— Erin DeBooy (@erindebooy) December 19, 2019
