NEW CRUISERS
City police have updated their fleet and are happy with the colours but not the size or the price.
Saskatoon police unveiled three new vehicles with updated decals on Thursday, starting the phaseout process for its aging fleet.
Until today, the police service relied on Ford Crown Victoria cars, but since they were discontinued, a decision was made to switch to the Ford Taurus and Explorer.
The new vehicles are at least $10,000 more expensive; the total cost for one Taurus, including all the necessary police gadgets and decals, is around $75,000, while an Explorer costs $82,000.
“We’re certainly not happy with the size of the cars because they’re smaller, and price is another problem,” Chief Clive Weighill said.
The positive side is that the new cars will be more visible at night and come equipped with all-wheeldrive.
A police vehicle usually stays in the fleet for 200,000 kilometres or five years, whichever comes first. After that, it’s stripped and auctioned off.
Over the next three to four years, the old fleet will be replaced with newer vehicles.
The new decals feature darker colouring and design. The old decals have been on the cars since the late 1990s.
“I think any police service is pleased when they can have a new, modern look,” Weighill said.