Honda Civic Type R the newest NSW Police recruit

NSW Police has debuted a new member; a fully liveried Honda Civic Type R that will join the fleet for the next 12 months.

While car companies across Australia have been competing for police contracts to supply new highway patrol vehicles, the Civic Type R is instead on loan to the police for 12 months to help promote the Eyewatch social media service.

So there will no highway patrol or general duties for the 228kW, 400Nm Civic, with the Eyewatch program instead designed to help police use social media to interact with the community. Every local Police Area Command has its own Eyewatch Facebook page, with the public encouraged to "ask questions of your local police, seek advice or share local information".

And so, along with the traditional sticker job, the $51,990 Honda has been emblazoned with the Eyewatch logo to help promote the service. It appears the interior remains largely unchanged, with the red sport seats clearly visible in the photos. 

“Honda Australia is delighted to partner with the NSW Police Force and take an active role in raising awareness of the Eyewatch program to help make our communities safer,” says Honda Australia boss, Stephen Collins.

“The Civic Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding driving experience in the hot hatch segment. It has proven to be immensely popular with customers, enthusiasts and the motoring media, so we’re positive the NSW Police Force will find it to be a great community engagement tool."

What do you think of the Type R's blue-and-red makeover? Tell us in the comments below.