Changes to police vehicle purchase programme

The police vehicle purchase programme will increase to up to $29.2m for each of the next three financial years, Police Minister George Hawkins says.

It was expected this would allow the purchase of up to 850 new vehicles, he said.

“As well as modernising the police fleet, it will lower average odometer readings, allow a greater percentage of the fleet to be replaced after around three years and result in better resale value for used police vehicles.

“It makes complete economic sense and has the added bonus of improving police working conditions,” Mr Hawkins said.

Under the National government during the 1990s, funding targeted police IT at the expense of other areas, including new vehicles.

In the financial years 1996/97 and 1997/98, new vehicle purchases dropped to 140 and 188 respectively.

“But the low point under National was in the 1996/97 year when capital expenditure on police vehicles dropped to only $4.8m,” Mr Hawkins said.

“The Labour-led government inherited a situation where some police were driving vehicles that had been around the clock a couple of times and then some, leaving us with a lot of catching up to do,” he said.

In 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 new vehicles totalled 502, 452 and an expected 484 respectively. Capital expenditure on vehicles was $20m between 2000/01 and $14.8m in 2001/02.

Currently police own 2,590 vehicles, including special purpose vehicles such as dog units and prison vans. A further 183 vehicles are leased for the Highway Patrol.

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