Today, Wednesday 30 December, South Australia Police is launching the first All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to its myriad of fleets at Henley Beach.
The ATV is a 2020 Yamaha Wolverine X2. While primarily intended for off-road use, the ATV is fully road registered and able to be driven on roads. Road driving in the ATV however, will be kept to a minimum and generally just for negotiating around beach hazards such as river outlets and breakwaters or commuting to and from police stations.
The ATV provides a new and highly visible patrol capability to assist with keeping the community safe. In addition to regular proactive patrols, the ATV offers a new platform for ensuring COVID-19 compliance as well as being a rapid response vehicle in the event of an emergency on our beaches.
The ATV will complement Surf Life Saving SA (SLSSA) patrols and provide an additional layer of safety for beach goers. SLSSA provided SAPOL with valuable information based on their extensive experience across Australia with similar vehicles.
Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said the ATV will be deployed by general duties members from coastal Police Stations to enhance patrol accessibility to the Adelaide metropolitan coastline.
"The public can expect to see the ATV anywhere from Aldinga to North Haven and are encouraged to come and say hello to the officers patrolling in it," he said.
