- NSW Police Crime Prevention Unit adds a Suzuki Jimny to support community engagement.
- Supplied by Suzuki Australia, the Jimny 5dr features a 1.5L petrol engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
- Jimny's 75 kW/130 Nm will not be used for active patrol or pursuits.
Police vehicles aren’t typically described as “cute”, but across the Tasman in New South Wales, that might be changing.
The local Crime Prevention Unit in Lake Macquarie has just added a Suzuki Jimny to its fleet, and no, it’s not chasing anyone down.
Pint-sized policing
Affectionately dubbed Sergeant Jim, this five-door Jimny joins the NSW Police Force not for high-speed pursuits, but for a much more wholesome task: community engagement. Supplied at no cost by Suzuki Australia, the compact 4×4 is set to make appearances at schools and local events as part of the force’s outreach efforts.
Superintendent Tracy Chapman explained, “Sergeant Jim’s livery will hopefully be a great conversation starter while on display and get more people, especially younger people, comfortable with approaching their local police.”
From bush basher to badge bearer
While the Jimny is a capable off-roader, anyone expecting it to keep up with highway patrol units may want to lower their expectations. It features a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox, producing 75kW and 130Nm. It’s no match for the BMWs in other Australian police fleets, but that’s hardly the point.
Instead, its rugged looks and approachable vibe make it ideal for connecting with the public in a way that unmarked sedans never could.
Not your average police cruiser
Lake Macquarie sits roughly 150km north of Sydney and is one of the region’s largest population centres. Rather than blending in, Sergeant Jim’s bright police livery ensures it stands out, sparking curiosity and ideally, conversations.
As far as community engagement tools go, it’s a clever bit of branding wrapped in a tiny 4WD. Don’t expect to see it flying through traffic with sirens blaring. But do expect it to draw a crowd at the next school visit.
