The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has launched a vehicle leasing pilot project aimed at improving operational readiness, police visibility and emergency response, with Maun policing area receiving the largest share of the fleet under the initiative.
Speaking during the handover of 28 leased operational vehicles from Car Rentals Botswana, trading as Avis Rent A Car, on July 24th in Maun, Commissioner of Police Dinah Marathe described the initiative as a significant milestone in the transformation of the Botswana Police Service.
She said the project forms part of the BPS Corporate Development Strategy 2026–2030, which seeks to build a modern, trusted and responsive police service centred on improving service delivery.
“The launch is far more than the introduction of leased vehicles,” Marathe said. “The Vehicle Leasing Pilot Project is a key deliverable under our strategy to strengthen operational readiness by improving mobility, deployment, police visibility and emergency response capability.”
Under the 12-month pilot programme, 28 vehicles have been leased, with 19 allocated to the Maun policing area and nine to the Broadhurst policing area.
In Maun, the vehicles will serve Maun Police Station, Maun Airport Police Station and police posts in Khwai, Mababe, Shorobe, Matsaudi, Chanoga, Komana, Somelo, Nxaraga, Boseja, Makalamabedi and Sedie.
According to Marathe, the leasing arrangement includes comprehensive maintenance, insurance and replacement vehicles whenever required. She said the model is expected to reduce the financial burden associated with vehicle ownership while ensuring a higher level of fleet availability.
She noted that as policing demands continue to increase amid limited public resources, the Service must adopt innovative and cost-effective solutions that maximize value while strengthening operational capability.
Marathe said the partnership with Avis demonstrates the Botswana Police Service’s commitment to becoming a resilient, agile and financially sustainable institution capable of responding to the country’s evolving security needs.
The Commissioner added that improved mobility would directly benefit communities by increasing police visibility, enabling faster emergency responses, improving officer safety and strengthening public confidence in policing.
She emphasized that community safety remains a shared responsibility and reaffirmed the Police Service’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders and local communities to advance community-centred policing.
Marathe acknowledged that violent crime remains a concern in the Maun policing area, citing murder, store break-ins, threats to kill and stock theft among the persistent challenges.
She expressed confidence that the deployment of the additional vehicles, together with the recently introduced airborne law enforcement capability in the area, would significantly strengthen efforts to combat crime and improve the detection of missing persons.
The Commissioner thanked the Government of Botswana for its continued investment in strengthening national security institutions and expressed appreciation to Car Rentals Botswana for partnering with the Police Service on what she described as an innovative public service solution.
She said the pilot project would provide valuable lessons that could guide future decisions on sustainable fleet management while helping the Botswana Police Service continue building a modern, responsive and trusted institution that effectively serves the public.
