Police Vehicles

Police officers rely on various high-performance vehicles to ensure they can effectively respond to multiple situations appropriately and on time. These police vehicles are designed to provide officers with an effective means of patrolling city streets, transporting suspects, storing equipment and weaponry, responding to riots and hostage situations, and more.

Additionally, the vehicles offer varying levels of protection, depending on their intended purpose. Following is a list of vehicles used by police officers and other law enforcement personnel.

List of Police Vehicles

Here are some common types of vehicles used by police officers in the United States (in alphabetical order). Please post a comment below to suggest additional police vehicles for the list.

Armored vehicles

Predominantly used by police SWAT teams, armored vehicles are deployed in special situations. In the case of crowd or riot control, armored vehicles enable police officers to gain safe entry into areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. Armored cars, trucks, and tanks can also be used during hostage scenarios or when terrorist shooters hijack public spaces.

Armored vehicles keep passengers safe from external onslaught and armed fire. They serve as effective shields and carriers, allowing officers to approach the situation closely and gain control more easily.

ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)

ATVs are used for patrolling off-road or rugged terrains, such as parks, beaches, or wilderness areas, where traditional vehicles cannot easily access.

Bikes or Bicycles

Some departments use bikes to allow officers to patrol crowded city areas. The bikes typically don’t carry much equipment, but some models have small equipment pouches that include various accessories the rider may need during their shift. Items could include a first aid kit, water bottles, flashlights, cell phones, tablet computers, and other items. The use of bikes also increases officer visibility in the community.

Boats

Police boats are used for patrolling water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. They are equipped with features necessary for water-based law enforcement activities.

Command Post Vehicles

They are dispatched to any situation as a centralized meeting area, radio command centers, and for other purposes. These are often custom-built to meet the individual needs of each department. Still, they include features and equipment such as satellite TV, Wi-Fi hubs and hotspots, portable scene lighting, communications equipment, electricity generators, storage, workstations for detectives and analysts, and much more.

Drones

Although they are not technically vehicles, Drones are quickly becoming a popular method of tracking down criminals and conducting surveillance. If you’re interested in the latest technology in the field, learn about Police Drones and the latest aerial surveillance and photography technology used in Law Enforcement and Investigations.

Helicopters

Police helicopters are used for aerial surveillance, pursuits, search and rescue missions, and other operations requiring a bird’s-eye view. They often have advanced technology and specialized equipment.

Horses

Police officers who work in city parks and recreation areas may ride horses to patrol certain areas. Units that use horses are referred to as “mounted” units. The horses enable officers to move around quickly and provide them with an elevated view of what’s happening. This helps them identify criminal activity, crowd control issues, and citizens in need of assistance.

Motorcycles

Police officers use motorcycles for several reasons. Motorcycles are used for traffic enforcement, such as in the hit television series CHIPS. They are great for rapid acceleration, which allows officers to go from a dead stop to over 60 miles an hour in about five seconds. They are also suitable for maneuvering through traffic jams or crowded areas where a car or van would not fit.

“Motors”, as they are often referred to, are also used to escort government officials and sometimes even celebrities through crowded streets. They are also used during parades, funerals, and other special events. Most forces use motorcycle models developed by BMW, Harley-Davidson, and Kawasaki.

Police Cruiser

Police cruisers, also known as police pursuit vehicles, patrol cars, and sometimes squad cars, are easily the most popular type of police vehicle. These cars are specially adapted to suit diverse requirements. Reliable and well-equipped, these vehicles are enhanced with special features such as state-of-the-art safety systems, impressive cargo space, and spacious interiors.

Cruiser or pursuit cars are designed to reach high speeds in record time, enabling them to chase and apprehend fleeing suspects. Several car companies modify and improve specific models to meet the requirements and rigors of police work.

The more common models used as squad cars are the Ford Taurus, Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor, Chevy Caprice, and Dodge Charger. These cars are remodeled and equipped with enhanced performance alternators, high-quality suspension, increased battery power, high-performance engines, innovative braking systems, advanced accents, and features such as sirens and light bars.

Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)

Police officers take full advantage of the benefits unique to SUVs. These vehicles are typically used in rough weather and terrain, helping to combat hazardous conditions such as heavy snowfall and ice. SUVs work well when duty calls for officers to get off the pavement when in pursuit. Additional carrying capacity and room in SUVs also come in handy in certain situations.

Mid- to full-size SUVs are often preferred as police vehicles and make excellent patrol cars due to their ability to blend into traffic. Models used for police work include the Ford Expedition, the Ford Explorer, and the Ford Excursion.

Vans and Paddy Wagons

Mainly used for utilitarian purposes, vans transport groups of officers or prisoners. Models from minivans to full-scale tactical operation units are generally employed. Additionally, vans are used as surveillance vehicles and equipped with listening devices, cameras, audio, and visual recording equipment.

Trucks

Primarily used by county or rural police, pickup trucks are often operated by officers in areas where the majority of the population also drives trucks. This helps officers maintain a low profile and work effectively in the event of excessive snowfall and extreme weather conditions. Ford Raptor is a standard model of truck used by law enforcement officials.

Special Vehicle Features

Several new and innovative features are becoming available for law enforcement vehicles. The following are some examples of the most interesting features:

• Blackout mode – Allows the vehicle’s interior lights to go completely dark at speeds below 15 mph. This allows drivers to remain completely unnoticed when performing surveillance, following a suspect, or arriving on the scene.
• Surveillance Mode – If something comes within a certain distance of the car’s rear, the officer is alerted, the windows roll up automatically, and the doors lock. This helps protect drivers from ambushes, which are becoming increasingly common in today’s society.
• Secure Park – This feature locks the trunk and gun rack, preventing them from being opened.
• Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) – This feature provides the ability to automatically search plates for stolen or suspect vehicles, which is priceless. This allows the driver to keep his hands on the wheel while running plates.

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions about this list of vehicles used by police officers, please leave a comment below. See also: List of Equipment Police Officers use in the line of duty.