Ottawa police now have a military-style armoured vehicle to use when they respond to high-risk situations.
Police showed off the $365,000-Lenco BearCat vehicle at the force's west division station Wednesday morning.
Ottawa police chief Vern White says the vehicle is a crucial tool that will help the force fight crime in a city the size of Ottawa.
The armoured vehicle will be used by tactical officers when they respond to high-risk calls, such as events on and around Parliament Hill, embassies and consulates. Other uses could include major search and arrest warrants, barricaded person calls and violent situations at the Ottawa International Airport.
Police predict the vehicle will be used about 50 times per year.
The vehicle has bullet-proof windows and can transport several police officers at one time. It also comes equipped with a 360-degree turret to protect police in highly volatile situations.
The American-made BearCat is currently used by hundreds of law enforcement agencies in the United States.
