$350K truck unveiled by Vancouver police

Vancouver police rolled out their latest acquisition Tuesday — a large, black armoured vehicle worth a reported $350,000.

The 12,700-kilogram armoured rescue vehicle looks like a cross between a Brink's truck and an army personnel carrier.

The ARV will be helpful in a variety of situations encountered by police, Deputy Chief Adam Palmer said in a release.

"The primary purpose of the ARV is to provide support in removing an injured or trapped citizen or police officer from a position of extreme jeopardy without creating any further peril to the officers tasked with the mission," said Palmer.

It could also be used on roads made otherwise impassable by natural disasters, he said.

Palmer said the department has long wanted such a vehicle, but could not find the money in its budget. 

The Vancouver Police Foundation raised $250,000 and the city of Vancouver handed over $100,000 to make the purchase possible.