The header is a bit misleading; obviously this is not for "police cruiser" as a Prius/HCH (at least in their current incarnations) would never be able to have the "punch" or presence needed.

However, what the captain clearly says is that governmental vehicles should include environmental impact as one of their requirements... and the Prius/HCH would do wonders over what they currently use (ie, crown vics)... not to mention economics would totally support full-hybrids.

A definite niche market for NEVs is the "meter maid" market. I bet they would have municipalities a bundle in fuel and maintenance costs.

Passed a Prius (04 or 05) the other day with a Whatcom Cty Washington logo on the front doors. If I see it again I may call the respective county office and give them an atta boy!

In Santa Clara, CA, pretty much all the "city" cars are Prius. They have a bunch of 1st-gen and now some 2nd-gen cars. They use them for any city job where an employee needs to travel (e.g. inspections, etc.).

Hmmm, we have 5 in our fleet. yes they are unmarked PII's they are outfitted with LED whelen talon blue lights & four corner strobes.. All are in factory OEM colors they do not have mounted radios in them, as the officers use their portable radios. You can however use a laptop in them..

If you would like to read an article on one agency that is using the 03's for marked patrol look below..

http://www.naco.org/CountyNewsTemplate.cfm...ContentID=11634

I see several Seattle City Prius IIs downtown as well.

ill second that. back when i was in month #3 of my Prius wait, i happened to meet someone at Hawks Prairie Restaurant just north of Olympia.

to my huge surprise and disgust, there was 5 Seattle City Priuses sitting in the parking lot all of them were 04's.

i was sooo pissed. here i am waiting very impatiently for my Prius and here is some city government people who hogged up the local allotment just so they could drive 50 miles south to have brunch!@!