Bearcat 4x4 armoured vehicle of Saskatoon Police in Canada has proven its worth 2005133

Sgt. Ken Kane, one the four team leaders with the SPS’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) explained there have been a number of times where the Bearcat has helped officers in conflict situations, noting the vehicle, “has really changed how we conduct business.”

“Instead of having to put officers in a hot zone without adequate cover … we now have the ability to get eyes onto the situation very, very quickly,” said Kane. “We can get our negotiators closer, we can get our tactical medics much closer to a situation—it’s really changed how we can deploy our resources.”

Kane said alongside keeping officers safe, the Bearcat has also proven to be a successful negotiating tool, as having the vehicle on scene has successfully defused potentially violent situations.

“It can’t get inside of a suspect’s head, but just with the calls where we have had barricades, we’ve had a lot of luck—or good fortune—where they see (the bearcat) and they realize, ‘the police aren’t going away, this vehicle is on my front lawn, wow, it’s probably time for me to surrender.’”


The BearCat is a 4x4 wheeled armored personnel carrier designed for military and law enforcement use. The BearCat series is customizable with a variety of non-standard features depending on the customers requirements. BearCats are able to be fitted with moveable elevated platform systems to enable tactical units to access a variety of elevated structures such as multi-story buildings, ships at docks or aircraft during high-risk, hostage or terrorist situations.

The Bearcat provides a protection for teh crew against firing of small arms up to 12.7mm caliber.