The Ottawa Police Tactical Unit may be getting a fancy new ride.
Today, the police services board will consider the purchase of a $341,147 armoured rescue vehicle for the unit called the LENCO BearCat G3.
According to an OPS board report the need for the vehicle comes from a rise in the number of complex incidents involving firearms.
One of the main roles of the Tactical Unit is to execute high-risk search and arrest warrants in support of other units like guns and gangs, drugs, major crime, and repeat offender parole enforcement.
The report argues that an armoured vehicle would provide a secure observation and negotiation post if attempts at communication have failed when dealing with barricaded persons.
It could also be used to provide responding officers and paramedics with ballistic protection to rescue an injured officer or civilian during a high-risk operation.
According to the report, of 27 Canadian police services of similar size or larger than Ottawa’s, nine have armoured vehicles and four have access to one if required.
The RCMP is purchasing a vehicle that would serve in Ottawa after it is deployed in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games.
Due to different operational requirements of the RCMP and Ottawa police a joint use agreement is impossible.
