American police cars -- why so big?

[pitzel]

Ok, so most countries outside of Canada/USA use smaller cars (ie: not Impalas/Crown Victorias/Dodges) for their police forces. ie: VW Golf's, Hyundai Accents, etc. Small economical cars, some diesels, etc.

Since most police officers in North America are prohibited from high speed pursuits, why are their cars still sized with massive engines? Do rank and file police officers (through their unions or associations) generally have input into car selection, or is car selection within the purview of their employers? I am just mystified as to why we use huge rolling tanks of police cars in North America, while foreign police use more economical cars that are often better matched to the missions that are to be performed.

 

[Pablo]

Donuts?

 

[kingrob]

quote:

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Since most police officers in North America are prohibited from high speed pursuits, why are their cars still sized with massive engines?

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I wasn't aware of this. Actually I've never met an officer that wasn't allowed to pursue a suspect at high speeds, unless the circumstances dictated otherwise.

quote:

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Do rank and file police officers (through their unions or associations) generally have input into car selection, or is car selection within the purview of their employers?

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I've noticed in the cities and counties around me it's usually the choice of a couple of higher ranking officers who incidentally also handle most of the budget issues.

I am just mystified as to why we use huge rolling tanks of police cars in North America, while foreign police use more economical cars that are often better matched to the missions that are to be performed

Maybe in some really, really, small towns and rural outposts something like a Golf may pass as a police vehicle, but in the real world real cops need real cars. I don't know why Europeons use a lot of little four cylinders (maybe the extra high cost of petrol?) but can you picture an Accent or an Escort chasing down a Buick or Dodge? Not to mention that the only "big" car most cops use is the Crown Vic (sorry folks, the Imps are NOT large cars, the 300's and Chargers haven't quite caught on yet) and I suspect reliability plays a large factor there (Not to mention fleet cost reductions and reduced outfitting prices).

I remember when some depts. went with K-cars in the eighties. It was a hugely unsuccesful undertaking that cost a lot of people a lot of money. The same reason you don't see many four cylinder cop cars is the same reason you don't see many four cylinder taxis,etc: they just can't stand up to the abuse.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
Donuts?

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You getting close. A lot of Narth Americans, cops included, are giant economy sized people.

BTW, I saw my first Dodge Magnum Police car, in Victoria BC a couple of weeks ago. Nice looking police car.

 

[Pablo]

I meant so they could carry more donuts.

My second guess is lardbutt criminals.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
I meant so they could carry more donuts.

My second guess is lardbutt criminals.

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We are both looking at the same problem in very slightly different ways

What they need is high performance good handling medium sized cars with room for two cops in front, a dog in the back and a roof rack with shackles for hauling their clients to jail.

 

[Pablo]

I was thinking a 1.5" OD towbar in BACK with custom handcuff holders......put the drag back in being busted.

 

[moribundman]

Speaking of plice cars, the Germans are now switching to sort of an US-style siren and roof lights. The blinking light will now be red instead of blue and the siren will have a "yelp" feature.

Most popular police cars there are Audi A4, MB E-Class, VW Passat (wagon), and Opel Vectra, judging by what I saw the last time on the road.

Apart from Autobahnpolizei, I have yet to see a fast cop car there. Most cop cars there max out at about 160 km/h (100 mph) due to the huge roof lights and the weight of the communications equipment, although the latter may have changed during the past ten years.

This is the typical, current issue Audi A4 police car:

[ September 22, 2005, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

 

[moribundman]

As for the size of cop cars, a Geo Metro with light on top isn't exactly giving the impression of authority!

 

[Oldswagon]

quote:

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Since most police officers in North America are prohibited from high speed pursuits, why are their cars still sized with massive engines? [/QB]

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High speed pursuits are not prohibited here in Ontario, and they do happen. There was one locally (I live in a small city) not too long ago. However, there are new more strict regulations where the pursuits can be called off easily if public safety is a risk.

Additionally, the cars need powerful engines to get to calls quickly. If you call 9-1-1 do you really want a slow 4 cylinder econobox responding? Police cars need strong acceleration, which is probably why the LT1 Caprices were so loved by many officers.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
I meant so they could carry more donuts.

My second guess is lardbutt criminals.

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From the recent news:

"City Manager Steve LeBlanc said the storm surge could reach 50 feet. Galveston is protected by a seawall that is only 17 feet tall. More than 180 police officers were expected to stay behind to guard the city, along with 117 firefighters."

Those cops need a big car just to have room for their cojones. Firetrucks need to be big, so the firemen will always have room.

 

[tom slick]

cop cars are usually spec'd to be rear wheel drive. not very many compact cars are rear wheel drive anymore. american manufacturers also cater to the cop car market.

 

[Jeffrey]

Now in Italy, things are a little different for police: http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=2353201

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeffrey:
Now in Italy, things are a little different for police: http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=2353201

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They aren't real common. I was there 2 weeks including a lot of Auto Strada miles and didn't see one.

 

[Bio-T]

For the fiscal year 2005 these were the vehicles tested for police work and offered by the Auto Mfgs:

2005 Police Vehicles

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by 59 Vetteman:
For the fiscal year 2005 these were the vehicles tested for police work and offered by the Auto Mfgs:

2005 Police Vehicles

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It seems like Dam-Chrysler is slow getting their RWD performance cars to the police market. Getting them exposure in the police market would be smart marketing for performance oriented customers.

 

[Palut]

European police using smaller cars could have something to do with Europe's generally older cities having smaller, narrower roads.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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European police using smaller cars could have something to do with Europe's generally older cities having smaller, narrower roads.

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I hope they know their fire trucks won't fit...

http://www.stadtwil.ch/politik-dienste/sicherh-bus/rfw_loeschzug1.jpg

[ September 22, 2005, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

 

[Jeffrey]

quote:

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Originally posted by XS650:

quote:

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Originally posted by Jeffrey:
Now in Italy, things are a little different for police: http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=2353201

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They aren't real common. I was there 2 weeks including a lot of Auto Strada miles and didn't see one.

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Sure...but I still think it is both cool and funny.
The article states that they have only eight officers trained to drive the vehicles, so I can't imagine that they have many of them.

 

[JHZR2]

Other than the dodge charger/magnum v8... none of the 2005 police cars are that fast...

come on... a ford explorer. chevy express...

sure theyre special use... but still, a 250 hp crown vic? what will that do - 7.5 sec 0-60? What will the impala do? 8 sec?

And high-speed? 129 mph was the highest speed I saw noted on there...

I'd venture to guess that they are the best all-purpose buiilt vehicles, and easiest to upgrade to real HD suspensions, etc... not becase they can do any one thing all that well.

That new 303hp 28 MPG V8 impala might be a good choice?!?

JMH