New high-tech bomb response robots will join Victoria Police on the front line to protect the community as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s law enforcement technology revolution.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville joined Assistant Commissioner Chris O’Neill today to announce three new state-of-the-art robots, which will help police with surveillance, security and bomb-disposal operations.
The robots – one large, one medium and one small – will ensure the Bomb Response Unit continues to have the best equipment, and the flexibility to respond to the evolving challenges of modern security.
The first of these is the ‘Dragon Runner’ (DR20) – a small, fast and agile robot that can access confined spaces and can be rapidly deployed to assess suspicious packages, improvised explosive devices or hazardous materials.
The DR20 has been online since last month with the others to hit the beat later this year.
Victoria Police and the Labor Government have also delivered four new heavy-duty bomb suits, which the Bomb Response Unit used during the recent Brighton siege.
The new robots and two of the bomb suits were funded as part of the Labor Government’s $596 million Public Safety Package, announced as part of the Victorian Budget 2016-17.
The Labor Government is giving police the powers, resources, technology and laws it needs to keep Victoria safe – delivering the largest investment in Victoria Police’s history through the $2 billion Community Safety Statement.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“These next-gen bomb response robots will quickly become an important tool for the Bomb Response Unit, and will help protect the community and brave, hardworking police.”
“The aging robots used by the Bomb Response Unit will be replaced with newer and technologically advanced models, as part of our investment to give police the resources they need to keep Victoria safe.”
“We’re investing $2 billion in Victoria Police and giving them the technology, powers and laws they need to keep Victoria safe.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020