Posted on 01/18/2014 12:00:34 PM PST by rickmichaels
TORONTO - Toronto Police are downsizing.
Most of its big Ford Crown Victoria cruisers – which have not been built since 2011— will likely be retired by 2016.
Until then, Const. Wendy Drummond said officers will road test smaller cars and SUVs to determine the best type of replacements.
Despite being on the road for months, many people have not seen the Toronto Police-marked test autos.
Drummond said four Taurus “Police Interceptors” and two Ford Explorers are driven on regular patrols, which allow “for the collection of data.”
Older-style 5.4-by-1.96 metre, V-8 Crown Victoria “Police Interceptors” have a 2.9-metre wheel base and are 1.4 metres tall.
The front-wheel-drive 2014 Taurus measures 5.15-by-1.9 metres, is 1.54 metres tall, and has a 2.86-metre wheel base. Two beefed-up 3.5-litre V6 engines are offered.
Departments across Canada and the United States, which share information through a “police co-operative purchasing group” — whose members also attend squad car trials hosted each fall by the Michigan State Police — have good reason to need different vehicles, which also include General Motors and Chrysler cruisers.
Produced in St. Thomas, Ont. for global law enforcement use, “Crown Vics” were the last full-sized real-wheel-drive North American cop cars, after General Motors discontinued its four-door V-8 Chevrolet Caprice in 1996.
Thousands of the Fords are still on patrol, but will soon reach the end of the road.
Guidelines that restrict police use on the hours an engine has operated, plus mileage and overall condition, maintain safety standards and reduce time lost due to mounting repairs needed by older vehicles — especially those as hard-driven as cruisers.
To maintain its fleet, Toronto Police paid $5 million for 300 Crowns in 2011.
The bulk order provided “$1.5 million in savings,” Drummond said. Stored and regularly test-run, “we were able to deploy those vehicles over the last three years.”
Other forces have bought competitors’ smaller vehicles for several years, including the OPP, who also use SUVs.
In 2009, GM announced a new Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV). Based on the Holden Caprice, the V-8 powered four-door Chevrolets are imported from Australia.
Chrysler’s new rear-wheel-drive, V-6 or V-8 Dodge Charger hit the road in 2006.
Some officers complain of feeling cramped due to their bulky personal equipment plus computer consoles. Many don’t like front–wheel drive while others have lauded the smaller cars.
Drummond said a decision on new replacement cars is expected in November.
“Dude, your electric motor is on fire! The sparks ignited my pants!”
Shut up you pansy, you’re under arrest!
*Cuffed, tossed into back of smoking electric car*
Another victory for electric!
*Drives off, smoking, into the smokeset*
“Right, burglary at your house, we’re on the way...
Say, you do have a recharging station there don’t you?”
I honestly CAN imagine some PD going all electric.
I can also imagine the battery sparking and venting into the crew cabin at some point in this escapade.
“Under arrest for impeding an investigation! You lack a recharging station!”
Traffic cops are so old fashioned- Drones are the new enforcers.
lol
The Toronto Police Department needs to step up their game. Such as a PorschePolizei Car:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.