Prius Police Patrol Vehicles

[heffd]

All,

My chief has given me the task of conducting a feasability study on utilizing the prius as a police patrol vehicle (being the only prius owner in the department). We are a campus police department located in the heart of a major city. I am trying to identify other departments using hybrids. I am also looking for constructive advice on the pros and cons of "hybrid policing".

Thanks

[seasalsa]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(heffd @ Aug 30 2007, 07:11 AM) [snapback]504271[/snapback]</div>

All,

My chief has given me the task of conducting a feasability study on utilizing the prius as a police patrol vehicle (being the only prius owner in the department). We are a campus police department located in the heart of a major city. I am trying to identify other departments using hybrids. I am also looking for constructive advice on the pros and cons of "hybrid policing".

Thanks
[/b]

A google search reveals the following:
http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/200...hybrids06.shtml
http://www.autodirectsave.com/product/list...ice_Light_Sound
http://www.toyoland.com/prius/hybrid-police-cars.html
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/11/22/au...-guys-in-prius/

[etyler88]

Well, without being able to give you documents I know it will come down to two points. 1. long term operating cost savings vs. slightly higher upfront cost. In Delaware I know that law enforcement Crown Vics cost about 20k and Dodge Challenger a bit less. Unless Toyota has a discount on the Prius for law enforcement the Prius is obviously more. Are they are willing to spend a bit to save over time? 2. The second and bigger issue is outfitting the Prius for law enforcement. Prius is not big enough for a prisoner partition and does not have a lockable trunk to keep your shot gun and other gear inaccessable from prisoner/arrestee. Also outfittting equipment would not be "off the shelf" and require more time/cost to fabricate for Prius. If you can use the Prius as a nonprisoner transport vehicle it makes sense or if I am wrong about off the shelf parts availability and who says prisoners should get leg room. A third point is if your department frowns on high speed pursuit a 105 mph top end would limit that liability.

[mhawkin1]

Can I ask, what city?

[abq sfr]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(heffd @ Aug 30 2007, 08:11 AM) [snapback]504271[/snapback]</div>

All,

My chief has given me the task of conducting a feasability study on utilizing the prius as a police patrol vehicle (being the only prius owner in the department). We are a campus police department located in the heart of a major city. I am trying to identify other departments using hybrids. I am also looking for constructive advice on the pros and cons of "hybrid policing".

Thanks
[/b]

I know one reason why your Chief is considering a Prius... for PR purposes. Just this morning I drove through some neighborhoods around the Univ of NM and saw 3 Priuses on one street. I think they are very popular in educated areas, such as universities and neighborhoods where professors and students live. A Campus Prius cruiser would not need to go over 105. And you would get positive news coverage over it. If you get one, post a picture after it's been modified!

[efusco]

Realize that the 12v battery is quite small and you would likely need an upgrade to be able to operate the amount of electronics that would be required...either with a larger battery or some mechanism to allow higher voltage draws then all drivers would need to be trained to leave the Prius in READY mode at all times to avoid draining that 12v.

That said, it has been done before, I've seen the stories, but don't recall where.

[hycamguy07]

Oh oh I can help with this one.....

I had to put a 2004 prius through tests for patrol use...

1) no room to transport prisoners if a cage is installed.

2) Can't be used as a pursuit vehicle, unless you follow them until they run out of gas.

3) can mount a computer stand,but then no front passenger room.

4) The powers to be decided to continue to use the ford crown vic do to its size. I begged to keep the prius as my work vehicle but they reassigned it to another area.

Ours had 4 corner strobes, and LED front and rear inside deck lights, along with an LED lightbar.
when running everything, lights, radios, cumputer,cell phone charger, A/C. The car did well but you have to leave it running..

Most agencies that use the Prius, use them in their civil areas, ie civil process servers, CoPs-Citizens on Patrol, Parking Enforcement, Juvenile enforcement (unmarked).

There are several universities & agencies that use them just fine and they praise them. (theirs are mostly PR too. However there are reviews!
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/09/14/no...glowing-review/

http://www.toyoland.com/prius/hybrid-police-cars.html

http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrob...?oid=oid%3A6629

Look at the bottom picture on this one:
http://www.naftc.wvu.edu/naftc/data/other/...etofficials.pdf

Also etyler88 & efusco, mention some VERY valid points to consider also...
Good luck!

[skruse]

Fresno County, California, has several Prii, primarily used for public service, not aggressive patrols.

General Tel. 800.522.0086
Field Services Watch Commander 559.488.1650