Cost of new police vehicle discussed at commission

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
tbusch@tabertimes.com

A significant cost savings factored strongly in the decision to replace the Taber Police Service’s former SUV patrol unit with a new quad-cab pickup truck.

“It was primarily pricing,” said Chief Alf Rudd of the Taber Police Service, speaking during the Sept. 17 meeting of the Taber Municipal Police Commission (TMPC).

“We got a smoking-hot deal on a truck. It’s the four-wheel drive that we’re after. There was a $10,000 difference.”

Rudd went on to outline TPS had previous experience with the use of a truck, and knew another unit would suit their needs in future.

“We knew that a truck would be servicable, because we’d had experience with the bylaw truck. We knew it would work as well as an SUV, as far as room, if we had to transport anyone in it. It’s a quad cab, and they make all the security equipment for trucks.”

TMPC chair Ken Holst indicated at least one four-wheel drive unit was essential for the service considering the weather-related events the area can sometimes experience throughout the year.

“In the event of a snowstorm, it’s nice if we need it if we have to respond,” said Holst.
Extreme weather events have impacted the service’s ability to respond to emergency situations in the past, according to Rudd.

“Before we had the SUV, the winter before that we were stranded and couldn’t get anywhere. There were a couple of the storms, people would call, and if they could make it out there in the car they might be walking back. We just couldn’t get around.”