Redlands Police Take Delivery of First New Patrol Vehicles

The Redlands Police Department (RPD) took delivery this month of two new patrol vehicles, the first of 14 new vehicles that will be added to the department’s fleet. The 2013 Ford Interceptors—Ford Explorers modified for police use—were delivered earlier this month after being fitted with equipment, including sirens, emergency lights, radios, computer-aided dispatch monitors, GPS and video systems, and other specialized hardware. Another 12 vehicles, including 10 Interceptors and two Chevrolet Caprices, are currently being outfitted and are expected to be delivered soon. The vehicles will replace a number of aging patrol vehicles in the department’s fleet, many with more than five years of continuous service and more than 100,000 miles. Out of 42 vehicles used for patrol, community policing and the department’s Multiple Enforcement Team, 19 were no longer in compliance with industry standards due to their age and mileage. Repair charges for many of the vehicles were greater than the original value of the vehicles. Most of the replaced vehicles will be sold at auction. Some may be reassigned for non-patrol purposes. A committee of Police Department members reviewed and test drove several police vehicles and talked with and visited other police agencies while considering the best vehicle options for the fleet. Their analysis determined that the Chevrolet Caprice and Ford Utility Interceptor would benefit the Redlands PD fleet best because of the vehicles’ designs, interior room, and performance. By piggybacking on an existing state contract for California Highway Patrol vehicles, the City of Redlands was able to receive deeply discounted fleet pricing for the vehicles. The total cost for each Interceptor, including tax and license fees, was $25,333.79. Outfitting each vehicle cost an additional $5,834.01 because the department was able to reuse much of the equipment from the vehicles being replaced. Cost for the Caprice was $30,491.06 with additional outfitting costs of $10,652.03. The outfitting costs for the Caprice were higher because much of the older equipment could not be retrofitted to the Caprice. In May the City Council approved purchase of 10 new vehicles. Purchase of four additional vehicles was approved in June. The vehicles were purchased using a combination of General Fund money, drug asset forfeiture funds and other one-time revenues.