Michigan State Police Tests 2005 Patrol Vehicles

• NCJ Number: 207192
• Date Published: December 2004
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): 96-MU-MU-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review

Annotation

This report offers summary data on the 2005 Michigan State Police (MSP) evaluation of patrol vehicles.

Abstract

One of the most important purchases a law enforcement agency makes is its patrol vehicles. For over 25 years, the MSP has conducted extensive evaluations of each new model year's police vehicles. For the 2005 evaluations, five vehicles in the police category were evaluated: Ford Police Interceptor (3.27:1), Ford Police Interceptor (3.55:1), Chevrolet Impala 9C1, Chevrolet Tahoe PPV 2WD E85, and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV 2WD. Five vehicles in the special service category were evaluated: Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Magnum. Two vehicles in the non-published category were evaluated: Dodge Magnum 3.5L and Dodge Magnum 5.7L. Each vehicle was subjected to six major tests and evaluations involving dynamics testing, acceleration and top speed testing, braking testing, ergonomics, communications, and fuel economy. MSP scores each vehicle on overall performance, reviews the manufacturer's bid price, and calculates a final score for each vehicle that takes into account both factors. Results of all evaluations for each vehicle are presented, followed by a brief description of the methodology. Exhibits