IMPORTED black police patrol cars may soon be seen on South East roads.
South Australia Police officers are now trialling the use of the German-made Holden ZB Commodores along with the continuing trial of the Kia Sorrento, which started in mid-January 2018.
As part of the modernisation of the police fleet, there will be a corresponding trial of the new police markings and logos, which will be prominently displayed on all of the trial vehicles.
The ZB Commodores have been secured in a range of colours, including silver, white and black.
The Kia Sorrentos are currently in white, dark grey and silver blue.
Silver-coloured Commodores will be trialled for general traffic duties and white Commodores will be trialled for general duties.
The black Commodores will be trialled across the state as special traffic fleets.
Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey said the trial of both types of vehicles was important as SAPOL continued to grow and expand its overall fleet to provide the best possible fit-for-purpose vehicles.
“The new police markings have a greater visibility to motorists, especially at night, due to the high visibility stripes,” Ass Comm Harvey.
“In selecting and trialling the new Holden ZB Commodore, safety is a key issue.
“This ZB Commodore has more active safety features than the previous VF Commodore.
“With that, it should be of great appeal to our frontline officers.”
Some of the features include all wheel drive, lane departure warning and frontal collision warning, among an array of other features.
“We have also made some modifications to upgrade to a larger battery and alternator to facilitate our electronics and technology in the vehicles,” Ass Comm Harvey.
