OPP expands force with frightening new (heavily) armoured vehicles

The Ontario Provincial Police made a terrifying addition to the force in the form of two “armoured rescue vehicles” (or what civilian folk call A.R.V.s). The Toronto Star reports that the vehicles, which come with a combined price tag of $800,000, will be used by OPP officers responding to high-risk incidents (like hostage takings and sniper attacks). The paper also says the vehicles will “bring the OPP in line with other major police services in the country.” A sympathetic take on this might be to say that it’s better to purchase this sort of thing before it’s necessary. But we’re still curious about when the OPP will need a truck that can “ford water” and “carry up to nearly 16,000 kilograms, including its own weight, at highway speed.” Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »