Words: Nile Bijoux | Photos Police Association

The New Zealand Police have only had the new ZB Commodores since April last year but they might be about to hand the keys back to Holden.

According to the latest New Zealand Police Association magazine, Police News, frontline officers have voiced concerns about the new liftbacks’ headroom in the rear. The ZB model reduces headroom by 1.3cm compared with the outgoing VF. An anonymous column last year in Police News described the liftback as “a bit snug”.

Now, before you go off saying that criminals shouldn’t deserve comfort, remember that police occasionally ride in the back too.

At the time, NZ Police’s fleet manager Rob Morgan said he hadn’t received any complaints but would survey officers using the vehicles to understand any concerns.

In the latest article, Morgan reportedly switched tacks and pushed for a change to station wagons over the liftbacks. Some 373 wagons will be put into action from July 1 this year, part of 500 new police vehicles for 2019 which includes vans, motorbikes and four-by-fours.

The liftbacks would be retained and moved into other police roles where rear seat passengers were not expected.