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Australia's police fleet has evolved from horse-drawn carriages in the late 1800s to the modern vehicles we see today. The country's police forces utilize a diverse range of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even bicycles, to carry out their duties and ensure the safety of the community. With recent additions of high-speed pursuit cars and all-wheel-drive vehicles, the Australian police continue to adapt and enhance their capabilities to effectively serve and protect the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of police cars in Australia | Unknown, but a fleet of 13 new Subaru WRXs were added in 2024 for the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) |
| Cost of each police Subaru WRX | $45,000 USD ($70,000 AUD) |
| Cost of a new WRX RS in Australia | $38,000 USD ($58,534 AUD) |
| Models of police cars in Australia | Holden Astra, Camry, dual-cab ute, Kia Stinger, Land Rover, Toyota Fortuner, Hilux, Land Cruiser, Holden Commodore, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru WRX |
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What You'll Learn
Australian police vehicles include cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles
Today, the Australian police force utilizes a diverse fleet of vehicles to carry out their duties. Cars remain a staple, with models such as the Holden Commodore, Toyota Hilux, and Subaru WRX being used in various states. The Subaru WRX, in particular, has been praised for its speed and advanced features, including emergency lights, a dual-battery system, and automatic license plate recognition software.
Trucks are also an important part of the Australian police fleet, with images showing Isuzu trucks being used by the NSW Police Rescue team. Motorcycles have been a part of the police force since 1916 and continue to be used today, with undercover officers sometimes utilizing them to infiltrate certain groups.
Bicycles, though less commonly associated with modern police work, still play a role in certain situations. This diverse range of vehicles allows the Australian police force to adapt to the varied terrain and demands of their duties, ensuring they can effectively serve and protect the community.
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Holden Commodores, Toyotas, and Fords are commonly used
Fords have also been a popular choice for Australian police forces over the years, with the Ford Falcon serving alongside the Holden Commodore until local industry shutdowns. The Ford Crown Victoria was a long-time favourite of American police departments, and the Holden Commodore was chosen as its replacement. In 2024, the Ford Ranger was introduced as a divvy van in Victoria, and it will be used as a patrol car in Queensland in 2025.
Toyotas are another commonly used police vehicle in Australia. The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series was added to the NSW Police fleet in 2023, and the Toyota Hilux is used in both South Australia and Victoria. The Toyota RAV4 AWD GX Hybrid is also used by the South Australian Police.
While Holden Commodores, Toyotas, and Fords are the most commonly used police vehicles in Australia, other makes and models are also utilised. The diversity of police fleets has increased since the demise of local car manufacturing, with vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Tiguan, and BMW 530d now serving as general duties cars.
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Subarus are replacing Kias and Volkswagens
Australia's Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) have recently acquired 13 new Subaru WRX patrol cars, with the first of these deployed in the capital city of Darwin. These new vehicles are set to replace the aging fleet of Kia Stingers and Volkswagen Passats. The Subarus are purpose-built and designed by operational police officers, featuring a dual-battery system, automatic number plate recognition cameras, advanced speed radar, a rear-facing message board, and a rifle mount with an electronic release.
The Northern Territory covers more than half a million square miles, making it the third-largest federal division in Australia. The new Subarus are expected to enhance the police force's capabilities in patrolling and responding to incidents across this vast region. The WRXs offer high-performance capabilities, with a powerful engine that delivers a sprint time of just over six seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 250 km/h.
The addition of the Subaru WRXs to the Northern Territory police fleet reflects a commitment to improving community safety and ensuring that police officers have the necessary resources to effectively carry out their duties. The new vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, such as automatic license plate recognition, to assist in their duties.
While the exact number of police cars in Australia is not readily available, it is known that the Northern Territory police fleet will total 29 vehicles with the inclusion of the 13 new Subarus. This fleet update is a significant upgrade, providing officers with modern and capable vehicles to carry out their important work.
Undercover operations, on the other hand, require officers to blend in and avoid detection. In these situations, officers may use unmarked vehicles that resemble everyday cars driven by the general public. These unmarked cars can range from ordinary sedans like the Camry to more inconspicuous dual-cab utes with carefully concealed radios and aerials.
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Unmarked police cars are used for surveillance
Unmarked police cars in Australia are used for surveillance and traffic enforcement. They are often equipped with technical gadgets such as number-plate recognition systems, speed detection, large antennas for communication, and radios. These cars blend in with regular traffic but can be spotted with careful observation. For instance, some unmarked police cars have been spotted with antennas installed in the front windshield or the base of an aerial without the antenna attached.
Unmarked police cars are used to monitor speeding and road rule violations covertly. They are distinct from 'undercover' police vehicles, which are used for covert operations and do not typically feature equipment for traffic enforcement. Undercover vehicles are driven by plain-clothed officers and are chosen to suit the specific mission, such as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to infiltrate a biker gang.
The use of unmarked police cars in Australia dates back to the early days of vehicle policing. The earliest recorded instance was in 1966 when the New South Wales Police employed a Mini Cooper S for speed enforcement. Today, unmarked police cars in Australia include a range of models, such as the Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Passat, Holden Commodore, Toyota Fortuner, and various BMW, Ford, Holden, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen models.
Unmarked police cars are an essential tool for law enforcement in Australia, allowing for discreet surveillance and traffic enforcement while blending in with everyday traffic. They serve as a reminder to motorists to adhere to road rules and speed limits, even when a marked police car is not present.
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Undercover police vehicles are chosen to blend in
Australian police forces have used motorised vehicles since the 1910s. The first police car was introduced in New South Wales in 1912, with Victoria adopting patrol cars around the time of the First World War.
Over the years, the makes and models of police vehicles have changed, but they have typically been chosen to blend in with everyday traffic. In recent times, police cars have become more technologically advanced, with features such as number-plate recognition systems and cameras.
Undercover police vehicles are specifically chosen to blend in with regular traffic and not stand out as police vehicles. These cars are typically purchased second-hand or modified to suit the specific operation. For example, a covert police vehicle might be a "grubby tradie Ute with ladders and paint buckets" or a dual-cab ute with a canopy, with radios and aerials hidden inside.
The choice of undercover vehicle may also depend on the region and the type of operation. For instance, in rural areas, police may use four-wheel drives such as the LandCruiser 300 Series or Toyota Hilux 70 Series. In Western Australia, the police fleet includes a mix of sedans, wagons, SUVs, and four-wheel drives, with models like the Skoda Superb, Kia Stinger, and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Overall, Australian police forces aim to choose undercover vehicles that are unremarkable and blend in with the surrounding traffic to effectively carry out their operations without drawing attention.
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