Victoria Police show off latest Ford Ranger divisional vans

The latest generation Ford Ranger ute has been converted for Victoria Police into a divisional van – used to transport those who have been arrested.

The first of more than 250 divisional vans – based on the new Ranger – have begun to be deployed to police stations across Victoria, with a re-designed 'prisoner pod' that can now store police kit bags and operational equipment which previously took up space in the cabin of the Ford ute.

The changeover comes just two years after Victoria Police announced it was switching to the Ranger, following Holden's withdrawal from the Australian market and the end-of-the-road for the Colorado, which was previously used as a 'divvy' van – with 23 still in operation across the state.

All new-generation Ranger divisional vans – including those in city areas – will be fitted with a steel bullbar to "enhance member safety", while providing a platform for an additional LED lightbar, reducing damage from animal collisions, and "[providing] extra stability [by] countering the prisoner pod's weight".

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The Ranger also offers a five-star ANCAP safety rating, as well as 360-degree cameras for manoeuvring in tight spaces.

All divisional vans are based on the Ranger XLT variant, which uses a 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 154kW and 500Nm, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Victoria Police currently have approximately 250 divisional vans in its fleet, with vehicles typically changed over once they reach 90,000km or three years in service.