Smart police cars hit street

Karratha and Port Hedland police have begun to patrol the streets in new visually striking concept cars.

The cars, which go by the moniker of advanced traffic management vehicle, have fluorescent orange and yellow stripes and are kitted out with new sirens, lights and a heap of technology.

Some of the improved multi-application interfaces include a voice management, power management of devices and systems, a number plate recognition system and in-car video.

Sergeant Steve Scott, of Pilbara traffic, had nothing but praise for the new vehicles.

“They will have a great impact because obviously they’re marked much more than other vehicles,” he said.

“The lighting and the technology in the car is state-of-the-art … there is no missing it.

“They are a welcome addition to our police fleet.”

Sgt Scott said while the high visibility of the cars allowed residents to know when officers were on patrol, it also benefitted officers.

“For us it makes our job a lot safer,” he said. “The more people who can see us, especially when we are making traffic stops, the better for us.”

Pilbara police have been waiting with anticipation for the arrival of the cars since an earlier trial period when police stations across the State tried out early versions of the car.

And it appears they were well worth the wait.

“They’ve been rolled out across WA, but they wanted to make sure logistically that given the distance we are from Perth, the cars were doing what they’re supposed to do before they came up here,” Sgt Scott said.

Karratha and Port Hedland mare starting with one car each.