Military Police roll out new fleet of vehicles across the force

Eighteen new Ford Rangers will support JMPU personnel with undertaking a range of tasks within New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) camps, bases and training areas, and will provide invaluable assistance during civil emergency and natural disaster responses. 

The vehicles have been kitted out with a range of modern policing capabilities including speed and alcohol detection, investigation equipment, and immediate first aid support such as AEDs (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators).

Commander Joint Support Group (JSG), Colonel Ant Blythen, was on hand at Devonport Naval Base to see the first wave of vehicles be rolled out.

“The introduction of the new vehicles is a great step forward for the NZDF policing capability with modern, fit-for-purpose vehicles,” Colonel Blythen said.

JMPU is a tri-service unit within JSG that provides military police support to all NZDF camps and bases throughout the country.

This includes responsibilities that cover crime prevention, incident response services and a fundamental mission to increase community safety and wellbeing, and maintain the military justice system. 

Up until now, the unit had been operating a mixed fleet of seven different vehicle types, many of which were fast approaching end of life through attrition.

The new fleet of universal response vehicles couldn’t have arrived soon enough for those on the ground, with the project delivering on time, and within budget.

“Getting these vehicles into service is the result of a lot of work by the Headquarters JSG Logistics Cell and JMPU working with Capability Branch and Defence Equipment Management Organisation,” Colonel Blythen said.

The new vehicles will be rolled out to camps and bases across the country over the coming month.