This CNN article, http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/19/best_cars_for_cops/index.html , indicates that cops rarely drive foreign cars. What is the reason for this preference?
Politics? Who wants to be the (probably publicly-elected) decision-maker who takes the flak for choosing to buy foreign? (Especially in Michigan!)
The cops near my employer have a new Volvo that they use in speed traps. Who suspects a cop will be driving a Volvo? Not me. Doh!
Maybe American auto-makers are more willing to “deal” with police departments, giving them some savings when they buy in bulk. I would imagine that foreign automakers would do this as well, but you never know.
Also, maybe “police versions” of American cars meet the demands of the police: performance, “communications and ergonomics,” and what have you.
GorrillaMan’s answer seems equally likely, as well.
Politics is a big part of it: Any city unions would raise a stink if foreign cars were purchases with taxpayer money.
Going by the article from the OP, only a selection of American cars were assessed for such potential. It doesn’t say whether or not the Volvo mentioned was actually tested as an equal alongside the American options.
Related to politics: The grants and supplemental funds that local police departments get from State or Fed sources for such things as updating equipment probably include a “buy domestic” clause in their regulations.
Also, remember that Ford, GM and Chrysler have extensive experience in acting as “fleet” suppliers in the US private sector, not just government – for cab companies, rental-car outfits, package-delivery companies, construction industry, etc. If you’re a large outfit (commercial or government), a big enough purchase may include their throwing in setting you up with a fleet maintenance/repair shop and a preferred supplier of parts. If you’re small-time, still it means a shop that can handle your maintenance and repairs is likely in-town, and parts and labor are relatively inexpensive.
Inertia and the comfort of familiarity are strong factors – Ford & GM have entire generations of experience adapting the kind of equipment that American police departments want and are used to into cars built to the specs that American police want and are used to.
I know the police departments here in PR use Crown Vics almost w/o exception for their cruisers (there’s the ocassional Impala), but do include Mitsubishis and Toyotas for their 4x4 or truck fleets alongside their Jeeps and Fords.
Politics, of course, and it’s not an US phenomenon. For example in Germany police in Lower Saxony mostly drives Volkswagen, the police in Baden-Württemberg, Mercedes, and the police in Bavaria, BMW. It so happens these are made in the respective states.
The police also have a strong preference for large, rear wheel drive cars. Most foreign cars of that description are luxury makes and so are more expensive than the old Crown Vic. Can’t think of an exception right off hand.
I suppose this is true. Italian police have Fiats, the French use Peugeots and Renaults, and the Czechs Skodas. British police cars reflect the state of the national car industry (Fords, Volvos, Subarus, BMWs…)
The police here in Cambridge, MA use BMW motorcycles. Apparently there was a little bit of a stink when they replaced their Harley-Davidsons a few years ago.
Our local police did that back in the 90s (except they got Kawasakis). I asked one of the cops (who was a customer) why and he said the Harleys were in the shop too much. I don’t have a problem with “Buy American”, but this is ridiculous. These guys need dependable equipment to do their job.
As an '05 Impala owner, I did some research into the vehicle. Among other things, I found out that the Impala took a beating v. the Crown Victoria for just the reasons you stated. When the Impala went to the V6, FWD model, police departments far and wide opted for the Crown Vic because it still offered the RWD V8 - features that police are hard pressed to part with. ‘They’ said a FWD V6 car could never handle the abuses that a typical police cruiser will endure.
As a result, the newer Impalas were built with these demands in mind, but you’ll still see more Crown Vics these days. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the '06 Impalas now offer a V8, and the rear lights look suspiciously like the Crown Vic’s.
how about the thought of “foreign” cars, Made in America? … e.g. hondas, etc…
they would suit the buy american theme and mean work for americans
cheers
alfred
WAG US car makers excel at making big durable cars with big durable engines and big durable transmissions that can take a hell of a lot of abuse and MPG be dammed.
You also have to keep in mind, along with all of the above, the need for police cruisers to carry a ton of equipment inside, and still have room for cuffed prisoners in the back seat. This also necessitates a 4-door vehicle of some sort.
But is there any truth to this? Is there any reason a RWD car is inherently more durable?
This is politics we’re talking about, not economics. I doubt it would be much easier to sell this one to the public than buying actual imports.
And only American cars have four doors?
Some factors, there is just more room for beefier parts, less heat that has to be delt with, less complex drivetrain (rear wheels = power, front = turning)
Nope, but only American cars have 4 doors and meet the other requirements listed above. Unless you start counting SUVs in the mix, I think American gas-guzzlers are going to be most suited for the wide range of patrol areas covered by American police departments.