There are many options out there when it comes to police cars — each comes with benefits and drawbacks.
The Emporia Police Department’s cars are getting a facelift with new, more economical and more visible decal designs as well as some newer features with upgraded models.
The Emporia Police Department has two different models of police cars — the Ford Crown Victoria and the Chevy Impala.
The police department began replacing its decals for the cars in an effort to save money and make the cars more visible, said Gary Smith, police chief. The cars aren’t being changed all at once because of budget constraints, but are being changed as new cars are purchased or cars that the department will keep are refurbished. Smith said the new design is more resilient and doesn’t fade like the department’s old design, which has red and blue in it. The former design is more expensive than the new one, which is straighter, Smith said.
“The new design will work on the Impala and the Crown Vic,” Smith said. “These are scalable. It’s like everything else when you’re branding, everything changes every few years.”
Smith said it’s also important to change police cars’ designs to keep them fresh in people’s minds. New designs attract attention.
“The black and white is visible,” he said. “There’s a stealth to them and they are highly identifiable.”
The type of car a police department purchases is important as well. Newer cars are being engineered with better features, more technology and more room. Smith said the most popular type of police cars are the Ford Crown Victoria, the Chevy Impala and the Dodge Charger. This year, the department is set to replace three cars as a part of its capital improvement plan.
Smith pointed out several features on one of the department’s 2008 Chevy Impalas. The seats are modified to add leg room, and are made of hard plastic and sit lower than cloth seats. Another benefit of the seats is the ability to hose them down if they are soiled, Smith said. The plastic seats also prevent suspects from hiding drugs, as there are no seams to hide them in. An older model has a conventional back seat with less leg room and doesn’t have the same type of spit guards for officers.
None of the Impalas carry spare tires.
“There’s just no place to put them,” Smith said, as he pointed to a trunk packed with gear.
The 2008 Impala has several other features, including auto siren shut off. When an officer stops and puts the car in park, the siren will turn off. The same goes for if the door opens.
“It saves the officer time in tactical situations,” Smith said.
Cars can be customized in many ways, Smith said. Cars can be designed with Kevlar in doors and bullet-proof glass to protect officers from bullets, and wheels can be reinforced so they don’t shatter in accidents.
“There are tons of options in those things,” Smith said.
The car is equipped with a three-point restraint for safety and shields that keeps people from spitting on the officer.
Head room is another concern in police cars. The average height at the Emporia Police Department is 6 foot, Smith said. Smith is 6-feet-4-inches, and was having a hard time getting into a car. Some of the steering wheels get banged up when officers exit the car and their gun belts snag on the steering wheel.
Trunk space is a premium in any police car, Smith said. The 2008 Impala’s trunk was filled to the brim with equipment and a rifle.
The department’s Crown Vic, which is a 1999 or 1998, is more roomy. It has a large trunk with room for a spare tire.
Richard Old, Lyon County undersheriff, said Crown Vics are the only full-sized V-8 powered rear-wheeled drive police car made in the United States. Old said it’s the car with the most room.
“There is just too much equipment,” he said. “Our guys have to haul everything they might possibly need with them.
“They can’t run back to the office and pick up something they forgot or ran out of.”
Old said sheriff deputies are required to carry three units of dental stone and mixing equipment to use for casting, evidence collection materials, fingerprint kits, cameras and measuring equipment, stop sticks and a variety of other items.
“They work out of those cars,” Old said.
A car must be large enough to handle the equipment and also perform.
“I get a big engine so the officers have the power to pass a slow-moving vehicle,” Old said. “When somebody’s breaking into your house and you live in Allen, you want somebody who can pass that slow-moving vehicle to get to your house. They need that engine to do that. “
The police department replaces their vehicles about 80,000-100,000 miles. The sheriff’s office replaces theirs every 70,000 to 80,000 miles.
“Fleet maintenance is a tough program nowadays but fleet management and planning ahead are the way to save money,” Old said. “If you invest more, buy a better car and trade them out faster, you get more trade-in for the used car.”
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
next will be hummers and ferrari's jeez
December 20, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
I'm afraid I don't understand your statement, would you like to elaborate?
December 20, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Considering that the police cars are basically an office on wheels, I find d23's statement a little out there. Our Sheriff's car is actually a seized vehicle which saved us tax dollars. Our officers put their safety on the line to protect us and I think they deserve a decent vehicle. And they don't get high dollar ones.
December 20, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
hey d23, where do you work?? would you like to have the absolute low bid or the smallest work space available when it comes to what you drive or what you work in or around??
and what DO you suggest they drive? a little tiny car that nobody can fit into and that can't carry any equipment? geez...why does everybody have to whine when the police or firefighters get decent stuff? they get the equipment they get so that they can do the job that everybody expects them to do when they call 911.
would you rather have good service from officers/firefighters who have decent vehicles??? or worry about whether or not the vehicles they have will make it to the next call?
December 20, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Military Surplus Humvee would be good, but commercial hummers are underpowered and not maneuverable enough. Give em what they need to get the job done.
December 20, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
"Military Surplus Humvee would be good"
No, no it really wouldn't be good at all...haha
December 20, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Hey Matt I used to work on those HMMWVs and in there defense..................Oh yeah, your right. Never mind. LOL
December 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
Haha, there would be so many drawbacks...
Having to have 20 maintenance staff for each car, haha
Extra EMTs on duty in the winter to treat frostbite
The need to purchase extra fuel pump tanks
A brand new warehouse to hold all of the extra spare parts
Ohh the list goes on! haha
December 20, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Don't forget waiting for the glow plugs to heat up before starting. Speed traps just wouldn't be as effective. Well maybe that one should be in the positives category.
December 20, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Ours must have been in better shape than yours.
December 20, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
USNretired
I was in the Army in an armor battalion and they weren't exactly careful with the wheeled vehicles, that probably had a lot to do with it.
December 20, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
some are working from bicycles
December 21, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
I would like to see Old try to get in a hummer,
December 21, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
d23_66801,
I try to keep a civil typing hand as I share my opinions on these threads, and so help me, I will TRY to keep one now, but you spout off such idiocies that it will take every last bit of strength I have. Is there a reason that you begrudge the men and women who come to our defense as immediately as possible as well as defend us from threats we don't even know about until they are resolved? Have you read the other current story about the criminal who threatened the lives of anyone who was in his path on Wednesday, including school children who could have been crossing in front of the school bus he passed? Are you aware of the dangerous drug dealers and meth addicts they have to deal with at least weekly (yes, even here in Emporia--I have witnessed it first hand)?
I drive a car that was inexpensive to begin with that is over a decade old and has plenty of mechanical and asthetic problems. I will not be replacing it any time soon because it is uneccessary. So when I tell you that those cars are used and driven until they are worn out, you will have some understanding of my definition of "worn out." I have an officer friend who allows my kids to examine the car through its windows. We have stood beside his cruiser as it's running, and I can attest to the fact that these are by no means luxury or lightly used vehicles. They aren't even replacing the fleet right now, just the identification design, and they seem to have just cause.
As for the bicycles, I think you probably know that they patrol certain areas at certain times of the year and can't possibly chase down and apprehend drunk drivers.
Now we've both had our say.
December 21, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks,
I can't imagine an armor battalion being anything but loving and tender with Hum-Vees. I know in the Cav unit I was in we treated our humvees with the utmost love an...I can't say this with a straight face, sorry. Yeah, we beat the living umm, poop out of ours, haha.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index...
Here's a pic of mine when I was in Kosovo... lol
December 21, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Dude, that picture is too hilarious. My friend who drove the 10ton wrecker put "Space Cowboy" on his windshield and in keeping with the classic rock song theme I put "Beast of Burden" on my 5ton wrecker. I pulled the scout Humvees out of some....shall we say, interesting places. One time one half of the rear suspension was completely torn out from under the truck. I could think of nothing better to do than to "pee" on the truck. I got into some trouble with the TC of the truck but all in all I'd say it was worth it.
December 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
Haha, I know I sure have seen some tanks in a lot of, shall we say, "precarious" situations... Like the time a (really dumb) tank commander decided to use an erosion dam as a berm and sunk his tank up to the turret in mud. The platoon decided to try self recovery (so the CO wouldn't find out, haha), and sheared the sprocket off the tank trying to pull the stuck tank out. Luckily it wasn't our platoon, so being the nice guys we are, what do we do to help? Yep, take pictures! We had a poster made up with a picture of the sunk tank, and the caption "You Sunk My Battleship!", and put it on their office door. We're nice guys like that...
This post has digressed, sorry. I guess what I'm trying to say is that its a good thing the EPD's new car isn't a tank?!? haha...
December 21, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
They would have too much fun with an M1 but I bet they could take care of a lot of criminals, you know like those villainous smokers, with a Bradley. I can hear it now. "Officer Smith man the 50cal there's a smoker 7' from the entrance of Josies. OPEN FIRE!" Sure the front of your building will look like swiss cheese but imagine all the fresh air that you'll get. LOL
December 21, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
All those larger vehicles would never happen anyway because the two commissioners who keep their thumbs on the police department purchase of vehicles refuse to let they try any other vehicles, including a SUV for special details, despite the fact that both of them who are connected to local car dealerships both regularly drive SUVs from their respective businesses. Seems awful double-standard to me.
December 22, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
SUVs have too high of a center of gravity for police use, I would think anyway. Officers have to take corners at higher rates of speed than your average soccer mom. Plus they suck gas like it's 1999. I think, and this is just my opinion, the Impalas are a good choice they handle pretty good and the front wheel drive makes getting around in snow and ice easier. I sure appreciate front wheel drive when the roads are like this. I know SUVs are 4x4 and get around pretty good in weather like this too but your paying for it at the pump the rest of the year when you don't need it. Well you may need it for hunting or camping or what ever but hopefully EPD isn't taking their cruisers out hunting and camping. Maybe they are. I don't know. Just my 2 cents.
December 22, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zeus (anonymous) says...
Why is it that the Emporia Police Dept do drive Chevy Impalas? There are not to many agenices around that do just due to their durability. Does the commissioner that facts is talking about own the Chevy dealership? If so then I would agree that something stinks.
December 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
What's not durable about an Impala? What would be a better choice? I don't know, just curious.
December 22, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
For those conspiracy theory folks and those who think they spend too much money on patrol cars, please educate yourself to the process of how they are obtained and why they don't drive Yugos. I'm quite sure the City and County would be glad to show you the paperwork, it's all documented and there for you to view if you would take the time to look instead of accusing them of underhanded deals and favoritism.
1. Specifications are put out asking for bids. In Lyon Co, the SO and EPD often submit bids together to get fleet discounts.
2. The bids are considered by price, compliance with specs, and general needs expected of the vehicle.
3. The low bid is not always awarded the bid, but it plays a big role in the decision process. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is very true when it comes to work vehicles.
4. The cars do not come complete with radios, light bars, siren, radar, video, markings etc, they have to be added after delivery.
Also keep in mind, many of the cars are used 24/7/365. There is alot of stop and go use, they need to be able run hard and be able to withstand hot and cold conditions. The brakes, steering, cooling capacity, and electrical systems need to be enhanced. You cannot buy and expect a standard manufactured car to be durable in those conditions.
The cars they purchase are not priced at retail prices that you and I would have to pay for similar packages. When I was involved in the process, we got a new Crown Victoria police package car thru Ford for $14k minus the radios etc mentioned above. The basic entry level Crown Vics without the special duty add ons, setting on the lot for the public to consider were stickered at $23K at the time. That car is still be used today, 17yrs later, excellent investment IMO.
December 26, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )