The South Windsor Police Department has received two brand-new patrol vehicles, a much-needed boost to their fleet, which has been stretched thin in recent years. These new vehicles are a result of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This upgrade will improve reliability, safety, and efficiency.
According to Lieutenant Duchesne, the department had requested four cars last year but only received one through the regular budget. The new vehicles are Ford Explorer Police, also known as PIUs.
“They’re basically a full-size Ford Explorer, just like you’d see in the public, but they have some extra features to them, like they have heavy-duty cooling, heavy-duty braking,” Lieutenant Duchesne explained. “They have a built-in wiring harness that runs from the front of the vehicle to the back so that we can upfit it with emergency lighting and other equipment.”
Beyond technology, each patrol car is outfitted for a wide range of situations. Officers carry medical supplies along with crime scene kits and even small tools for digging on roadsides. The new vehicles also offer built-in partitions and rear cameras for transporting and monitoring prisoners safely.
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Trunk view of one of South Windsor Police Departments new vehicles. (photo courtesy of Lieutenant Duchesne of the South Windsor Police Department)
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Inside view of the front row of one of South Windsor Police Departments new vehicles.(photo courtesy of Lieutenant Duchesne of the South Windsor Police Department)
The two new additions will replace older, high-mileage vehicles that have been thoroughly used over the years.
Police cars undergo much more wear and tear than regular vehicles—not just from fast-response driving, but also from idling on scenes for hours at a time.
“For every hour of idling, it’s almost like putting 35 miles on the odometer,” Lieutenant Duchesne stated, “meaning that a cruiser showing 50,000 miles could have the equivalent wear of 200,000 miles. That wear could have a drastic impact on the vehicle’s response time due to mechanical failures.”
Lt. Duchesne stated that when older cars were to break down on the way to calls, it forced vehicles into “limp mode,” which only allows vehicles to go a speed of around 25 mph.
“That’s not an ideal situation if someone’s life is in jeopardy,” Lt. Duchesne said. “Having newer cars leads to faster, safer, and more effective responses.”
Maintaining a modern fleet is part of the department’s overall mission to stay up to date with technology. Normally, patrol vehicles are used for about two years before problems start to occur. However, with the recent budget limitations, the department’s car replacement has been backed up.
Lt. Duchesne believes these new vehicles boost the department’s modernity as well as boosting reliability.
These new vehicles represent more than just an equipment upgrade; they ensure the department can serve the community efficiently and safely. By keeping their fleet modern and fresh, South Windsor’s Police Department continues to adapt to the growing demands of law enforcement while remaining efficient and safe.
