New Qld Police EORT Bombcat is super cool. Great job Peter Henderson and the EORT team.
Minister for Police Mark Ryan and Commissioner Ian Stewart today announced the arrival of a new armoured vehicle for the Queensland Police Service Explosive Ordnance Response Team (EORT).
Commissioner Stewart said the vehicle will ensure police right across Queensland, including specialist units, have the resources they need to keep Queenslanders safe.
“The Bombcat has been designed specifically to support EORT operational requirements but is also able to fully support interoperability with both Negotiator and Special Emergency Response Team requirements, during high risk incidents,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“These operations can include tasks where explosive devices, as well as firearms are present.
“At seven metres long, two and a half metres wide and three metres high, this machine means serious business.”
Minister Ryan said the vehicle will help to keep not only Queensland communities safe, but to also ensure the safety of frontline men and women.
“This $600,000 investment means that Queensland now has an armoured vehicle that uses advanced ballistic and blast protection and allows the safe deployment of specialist staff at high risk jobs including tasks where explosive devices, as well as firearms are present,” Minister Ryan said.
“The Queensland Police currently have two armoured vehicles, known as Bearcats, however our new Bombcat is like the big brother to our existing Bearcats – it’s bigger, stronger and will offer our police an extra level of protection.
“The Bombcat was purpose built to meet the needs of the Queensland Police Service and uses leading edge technology to protect officers and the community from explosives threats.”
from QPS Media on Mar 22, 2017 @ 2:54pm
While the BOMBCAT is road ready, the bullet resistant vehicle is unlikely to be seen on your street any time soon.
In Queensland, the Special Emergency and Response Team (SERT) will only be deployed to pre-planned operations that are high-risk situations deemed by a deputy commissioner or delegate.
The smaller model, the BEARCAT armoured personnel carrier, was however used last year to batter down a gate on a property with an ongoing siege, where a gunman held hostages for nine hours.
A similar situation occurred in Tasmania when a BEARCAT was used by special operations police to breach the perimeter fence of a Bandidos clubhouse.
from The Queensland Times