Unit to be used in “high risk situations”

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initative

The Sarnia Police Service will be purchasing an armoured rescue vehicle.

This decision was approved at the Sarnia Police Service Board on May 21.

“This is something that wasn’t a serious consideration of ours until this opportunity presented itself,” said Sarnia Deputy Police Chief Michael Van Sickle.

The vehicle was offered to Sarnia Police Service at trade in value cost of $20,000 by Bruce Nuclear which has used the unit for patrolling the grounds. Normally these vehicles are extremely expensive and would normally be in the range of half-a-million dollars, said Van Sickle. 

“This is a defensive vehicle,” said the deputy chief, saying the armoured vehicle protects officers as they put themselves in harms way.

He pointed to the recent arrest of Kyaw Chin Doe, the suspect in the murder of Dane Nisbet. London Police have an armoured vehicle and were able to park the vehicle right there and negotiated with him as he was barricaded in a London home.

“If this was to take place in Sarnia, we would be down the street hiding behind trees, hiding behind buildings and not being able to get that close containment,” said Van Sickle.

In the case of an injured civilian or officer being in range of violent individuals, Van Sickle says, “we will do that at all costs. Our officers will put themselves in harms way. By having a vehicle of this nature, we can drive the vehicle there, use it as a shield, remove the injured officer or civilian, if that be the case, and remove them to a place of safety.”

The deputy chief said this is not something that people will see on a daily basis. This armoured vehicle will be used during any high risk events.

“I think that this is an amazing opportunity to purchase something at an extremely discounted rate,” said Van Sickle. Sarnia Police Service Board Chair Kelly Ash agreed, saying if Bruce Nuclear was to trade it in and the Sarnia Police Service bought it, the price would be closer to $100,000. As for buying one brand new, Ash said “forget it, we just can’t do it.”

“I know that everyone around Ontario wants one of these, especially at that price,” said Police Board Vice Chair and Sarnia City Councillor Anne Marie Gillis, indicating Stratford, Peterborough, Sudbury, Chatham-Kent and London all have these armoured vehicles. Chatham-Kent deployed the vehicle seven times in a one-year period. Stratford police have used their unit three times since receiving it. London’s Police Chief is lobbying for a second light-armoured vehicle this year.

“What an opportunity to modernize our police force for such an affordable price,” said Police Board Member Jerry Bernardo. “These are big wins.”

The vehicle, a 2013 Terradyne Gurkha RPV, pictured above, carries a Level 6 ballistic rating, providing protection against armor-piercing rounds, and is built on a Ford F-550 chassis, allowing it to be operated without the need for a special class of driver’s licence. Its size, mobility, and maneuverability make it well suited for urban deployment and practical use within the City of Sarnia. The vehicle has been properly maintained by the Bruce Nuclear team ensuring an extended life expectancy,” wrote Chief Derek Davis in a report to the board before his supension May 19.

Davis’ report adds “some initial investment will be required to prepare the unit for operational deployment, including cosmetic paint touch-ups, SPS branding, interior detailing, installation of rear seating, integration of SPS communications equipment, emergency lighting, and a full mechanical and equipment inspection to ensure operational readiness.”

The report did not contain a cost estimate for the initial investment into the vehicle.

Deputy Chief VanSickle says it’s not clear when the unit will be available for Sarnia Police from Bruce Nuclear.