Sydney’s Leichhardt Police have recruited their latest member of the force - a chic and sporty Fiat Punto as a brand new addition to the fleet to work in the streets of one of Australia’s largest Italian communities. The vehicle will be used for community policing by the Crime Management Team at Leichhardt Local Area Command. Constable Tui Ormsby tries out her new Fiat Punto Police Car. Superintendent Wayne Cox, Leichhardt Local Area Commander (left) and Fiat National Marketing Manager, Ross Meyer, with the Fiat Punto Police Car.

Sydney’s Leichhardt Police have recruited their latest member of the force - a chic and sporty Fiat Punto as a brand new addition to the fleet to work in the streets of one of Australia’s largest Italian communities.

"A Fiat driving down Norton St is not so unusual, however; a marked up Fiat police vehicle does tend to turn heads!” explains Superintendent Wayne Cox, Leichhardt Local Area Commander. “Our stylish new recruit is bound to catch the attention of passers by even more than a normal police vehicle, and it provides a talking point from which we can discuss road safety and break down any barriers that may exist.”

“Despite being marked up as a police vehicle, we don’t use the Fiat for normal police work,” says Supt Cox. “Used for community policing, it’s a great way of building rapport between young people and police and certainly helps us get our safe driving messages through to car enthusiasts."

“By providing additional transport for our police, it frees up normal police cars to be out on the road - not only helping to save young lives, it also helping save money and fight crime!”

“This new Police Fiat will be used throughout our Command for community policing and is also a car for the community - who are able to invite the crime prevention officer from Glebe Police Station on 9552 8099 to attend events with the vehicle,” says Supt Cox."

The provision of a Fiat Punto for the Leichhardt Local Area Command is the latest in a series of cars provided by Fiat and Alfa Romeo in Australia to police forces to help fight crime and save lives.
 
“We are delighted to be able to assist Australian police forces with the provision of cars for their road safety and crime prevention work,” says Ross Meyer, National Marketing Manager for Fiat and Alfa Romeo in Australia. “We see this as practical and highly cost effective way that we can play our role in a safer community for everyone. Our cars assist the Police in making contact with a wide range of people so they can discuss and offer help with road safety and crime prevention, as well as providing the practical assistance of transport. We believe that this is a very positive role that we can play in the community. Fiat police cars are everywhere in Italy, of course, but not so common in Australia!” says Mr Meyer.

The vehicle will be used for community policing by the Crime Management Team at Leichhardt Local Area Command. Leichhardt community members can expect to see the vehicle travelling to shopping centres; attending local schools and fetes; and at community events and festivals such as the Glebe St and Norton St Fairs.