Sergeant James Post
TRANSPORTATION 2018
P&SN presents its 20th annual report on the latest technical advances in police vehicles, components and aftermarket equipment.
Welcome to our annual transportation issue where we cover all that’s new for the coming year – vehicles, emergency lighting and other accessories, plus all the results from the Michigan State Police (MSP) annual emergency vehicle tests. So, grab a cup of java, sit back and enjoy. Oh, yeah, don’t forget something to write with so you can prepare your 2018 wish list.
MSP 2018 MODEL YEAR TEST RESULTS
We’ll start with the results from this year’s MSP tests covering acceleration, top speeds and braking of vehicles and motorcycles. The tests were conducted at the FCA Chelsea Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan.
LE Vehicles Tested
A total of 13 vehicles were provided by the manufacturers for evaluation, eight sedans, four SUVs and one pickup truck. To create a level playing field, all vehicles tested are presented “slick top,” sans lightbars and spotlights.
There were three Dodge Charger Pursuits – a 3.6L V-6 RWD and two 5.7L V-8 HEMI®s, one RWD and one AWD. Ford presented five sedans, three of which were Police Interceptor®s – a 3.5L V-6 in FWD, a 3.7L V-6 in AWD and a 3.5LEcoBoost® in AWD. Additionally, MSP tested a Special Service (nonpursuit) Sedan with a 2.0L in FWD and the new Police Responder™ Hybrid Sedan you’ve been hearing about. Of the four SUVs tested, two were Chevrolet Tahoes with the 5.3L V-8s, a RWD and a 4WD. Ford brought two Police Interceptor Utilities (both in AWD), one powered by the 3.7L V-6 and the second with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine. To complete the lineup, Ford also presented their new F-150 Police Responder pickup truck powered by the 3.5L V-6.
What’ll She Do?
The speed tests are recorded in ten mile increments in seconds, from 0-20 mph to 0-100 mph, and then all-out, pedal to the metal for the top speed possible.
We’ll get right to the top speed results as that’s what always generates the most interest – both to readers and the spectators – at the tests. Despite that the vast majority of police cars sold each year end up patrolling city streets, we all have the “need for speed.” The “Top Gun” this year was again the HEMI Charger; actually, their two HEMIs tied for the fastest speed recorded at 150 mph each. Second place went to the EcoBoost Interceptor Sedan at 149 mph, with third going to the V-6 Charger at 141 mph. The slowest of the pursuit-rated vehicles (at 121 mph) was the 4WD Tahoe.
SP/HP troopers are usually most interested in the 0-60 mph results as they represent accelerating up a freeway entry ramp. The fastest 0-60 mph was recorded by the EcoBoost PI Sedan at 5.68 seconds, with the next fastest being the AWD Charger HEMI at 5.86 seconds. Third place went to…hold on…the F-150 Responder truck at 6.29 seconds! That’s faster than the EcoBoost Utility (6.3 seconds) and the RWD HEMI Charger (6.31 seconds).The slowest 0-60 mph time for a pursuit-rated vehicle (7.99 seconds) was the V-6 Charger.
The next category we like to look at is the 0-100 mph numbers, as they represent the speeds usually required to overtake a violator. Frequently, the deck of entries gets shuffled between 0-60 and 0-100; however, first and second place stayed the same this year. The EcoBoost PI Sedan recorded the best time at 13.5 seconds and the AWD HEMI was second at 14.37 seconds. Third best went to the RWD Charger HEMI at 15.26 seconds. The slowest time for the 0-100 mph (at 20.19 seconds) was also the V-6 Charger.
Ford’s two newest vehicles, the Hybrid Sedan and the F-150, performed well and kudos to Ford for including them in the tests. No one expected the Hybrid to break the sound barrier, but it did top out at a respectable 119 mph, although it took over 24 seconds to get there. The pickup truck shocked and amazed the attendees by posting the third fastest 0-60 mph times and a respectable 0-100 mph time (16.69 seconds) which was faster than six of the pursuit-rated sedans and SUVs. However, the truck’s top speed was 100 mph which is where it is computer limited. I wonder what it might do if someone unleashed all the horses.
The Brake Tests
In 1972, my department made a drastic departure from the six-cylinder Ford and Plymouth police cars (we drove for decades) and tested a few Chevy sedans with the potent 327 V-8s. I was lucky enough to draw one on my shift and that sucker would run! I remember one particular call I received to back up another officer and, as I approached the scene (somewhat faster than the posted speed), I locked up the Chevy and slid way past him and the scene. Besides horsepower and a plethora of mechanical, electronic and safety upgrades to modern police vehicles, easily, the greatest improvement is the braking. From drum brakes on all four corners to front disc brakes, to disc brakes with huge calipers and rotors on all four corners, we have come a long way. Combined with better suspensions, better tires, ABS (Antilock Brakes), FWD, and AWD (on several models), we are approaching the proverbial “stopping on a dime” criteria. This is why the MSP braking tests are so crucial.
The vehicles are all subjected to three 60 mph to zero stops (with a brief cool down between each) and the average of the three determines a projected stopping distance (measured in feet). And, these are not gradual slowdowns – they are full on hitting the brakes so severe that, a few years ago, one test vehicle’s rotors actually caught fire!
The same eight vehicles were tested and the best projected stopping distance was recorded by the Ford PI Utility with 3.7L V-6 and AWD at 130.68 feet. In second place, at a close 132.88 feet, was the V-6 RWD Dodge Charger. Right behind the Charger was the 3.5L V-6 PI Sedan at 133.06 feet. The common factor here is that all were V-6s and two were either FWD or AWD. Ford’s F-150 performed better than the two Tahoes and one PI Sedan at 142.94 feet.
The worst projected distance was recorded by the much heavier 4WD Chevy Tahoe at 147.85 feet, a full 17.17 feet further than the PI Utility. In the real world, that’s the equivalent of going through a crosswalk and almost into the middle of an intersection – oops.
THE MOTORCYCLE TESTS
Seven police motorcycles were provided by manufacturers for the acceleration, top speed and braking tests. The industry dealer, Harley-Davidson®, provided four models, the FLHP, FLHP Stage II, the FLHTP Stage I, and the FLHTP Stage IV. The remaining companies provided one motorcycle each. They were the BMW R1200 RT-P; the Yamaha FJR 1300; and the Zero DSRP, an electric motorcycle.
The fastest solo was the Yamaha at 143 mph, followed closely by the BMW at 135 mph. The Harley-Davidson Stage IV FLHTP was third at 110 mph. The slowest entry was the Zero electric at 102 mph, still a scary speed for all but an expert rider. And 143 mph? Fuhgeddaboudit.
The Yamaha was also top dog in the 0-60 mph drag race at 4.1 seconds and the BMW second at 4.36 seconds. Third place went to the H-D FLHTP Stage IV at 4.44 seconds. The 0-100 mph rankings were in the same order as the 0-60 mph – the Yamaha at 9.81 seconds; the BMW at 10.34 seconds; and the Harley Stage IV at 12.41 seconds.
Motorcycle Braking Test Results
The same seven motorcycles were evaluated with three 60-0 mph brake tests and the average projected stopping distances were calculated. The shortest distance was the BMW at 130.24 feet and at second place was the Harley-Davidson FLHTP Stage I at 134.97 feet, a scant 4.79 feet further. The third best was another Harley, the FLHP Stage II at 135.2 feet. As a testament to their vastly improved braking systems, another H-D, the FLHP, was fourth at 135.39 feet. The electric Zero DSRP placed a respectable fifth place at 139.14 feet.
Ironically, the worst projected stopping distance was posted by the bike which also posted the fastest top speed, the Yamaha FJR 1300 at 143.36 feet, over 13 feet further than the winning BMW. We can logically assume that a panic stop at 143 mph would even be further. As in my example with the 327 Chevy earlier, what’s the good of all that speed if you can’t stop?
WHAT’S NEW FROM THE “BIG THREE”?
We’ve been reporting on breaking news from the “Big Three” throughout 2017 and following are some of the highlights for the 2018 model year.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet loyal buyers will have only two pursuit-rated choices in 2018 and neither are sedans. Most folks working in Law Enforcement (LE) today have never experienced a time when there was no new Chevy police car available. This year (2017) was the last year for the venerable Impala and the imported Caprice was phased out the year before after lackluster sales, primarily due to the MSRP. Ironically, the plant where the Caprice was built, GM Holden in Adelaide, Australia, closed its doors for good on Friday, October 20, 2017, leaving 945 employees without jobs and ending 70 years of Australian-built automobiles and trucks. The assembly plants of Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and three others had already been closed during the past couple of decades, leaving this Holden plant the sole survivor. Is it possible that GM axed the Caprice knowing the factory would close soon? Probably.
Chevrolet’s two remaining LE vehicles are the Tahoe and the Silverado pickup truck. The Silverado SSV (Special Service Vehicle) is not pursuit-rated and, thus, not tested at the annual MSP tests. It is powered by the 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 and is available in 2WD or 4WD. It is available as a four-door model only. The 2018 model is a carryover from 2017.
Chevrolet’s Tahoes are pursuit-rated, hence the model name PPV (Pursuit Police Vehicle) and sales have been significant, despite a hefty price tag. They are very popular with officers, primarily due to the height, performance and size. Both the RWD and 4WD versions are powered by the 5.3L V-8s and are built with the well proven, old-fashioned method, body on frame, which most experts believe is superior to the unibody construction of the competition. Standard safety features for 2018 include a rear vision camera, Rear Park Assist and an Enhanced Driver Alert Package.
A side-by-side comparison with the best-selling LE SUV, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, reveals a couple of the primary reasons why officers prefer the Tahoe. The Tahoe’s interior space is the largest in the segment, with a passenger volume of 120.7 square feet compared to the PI’s 118.4 square feet. Even greater is the difference in cargo space, with the Tahoe at 112.1 square feet and the Ford’s 85.1 square feet. The ground clearance for the Tahoe (in both drive configurations) is 8.5″ versus 6.5″ for the PI Utility, offering both officers and the public greater visibility with the Tahoes. Tahoe PPV resale prices have remained high, with used police car dealers reporting lengthy waiting lists. A recent check of the online auction service, eBay, found only 30 used Tahoe police vehicles listed for sale.
Dodge
Fiat Chrysler has two Special Service vehicles, the Dodge Durango and the Ram 1500 pickup, but neither are currently pursuit-rated or tested by MSP. However, their bread and butter (and North America’s best-selling LE sedan) is their Dodge Charger Pursuit.
From its introduction in 2006 on Chrysler’s then new LX platform, the Charger continues to be reinvented and improved. The one consistent factor for all 12 years is the 150 mph 5.7L HEMI V-8 engine. Loved by cops and loathed by speeders, the power of this engine cannot be underestimated. To this potent drivetrain, Dodge has added the best in class AWD system, too.
Throughout 12 years of production, Dodge has also offered their 3.6L V-6 which has proven to be a popular choice for many municipalities. And, if you haven’t driven one, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, as it’s a gutsy, responsive engine, too, and you won’t replace the rear tires nearly as often.
The 2018 Charger Pursuit mantra is “safer than ever” with a bevy of no cost standard equipment geared for officers’ safety. This includes a rear camera view which includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection and Park/Sense Rear Park Assist. All of these features are operational while driving or stationary and are visible on a seven inch touch screen display in the center of the dashboard. This integrated system is named the Officer Protection Package and, again, it is standard equipment. If an officer is parked and motion is detected, simultaneously, an alert chime sounds, lights flash, windows roll up, doors lock, and the images immediately appear on the touch screen.
Ford
Ford police cars have been around for a hundred years or so, starting with those first Model Ts and, for most of those years, there has been a cop behind the wheel of a Ford cruiser. I sure piloted my share of “Blue Ovals” in my 27 years on the job. I liked them so much I’ve owned several in my 27 years of retirement, too. Like any mass production automaker, there have been a few hiccups over the years, of course, but Ford has always bounced back and Ford was the only one of the “Big Three” which refused government funds when times got tough.
Ford’s sales lost momentum with the demise of their CVPI (Crown Victoria Police Interceptor) which was the juggernaut of all police car sales for over 13 years, but the replacements – the Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility (introduced in 2013) – have steadily increased in sales to the point that the Utility is the best-selling LE SUV in the field. Earlier this year, Ford introduced the F-150 Police Responder pickup and the Police Responder Hybrid which have been reported on extensively and were tested by MSP this year. Ford also offers the Special Service Expedition, now available with the 3.5LEcoBoost engine, as well as the Transit PTV (Prisoner Transit Vehicle), a raised roof van. For the purpose of this article, we will concentrate on the 2018 Ford Interceptor Sedans and Utilities.
An Interceptor Is Still an Interceptor
Ford’s two Police Interceptors can rightly boast that they are “made in America,” as they come from the mean streets of Chicago after decades of being born in Canada. The Sedan and Utility are both built on the same platform and are purpose-built with input from officers all over North America and Ford’s own Police Advisory Board. The end results are vehicles designed for officer safety and comfort.
The Interceptor safety features include being the only vehicles on the market designed for the 75 mph rear impact crash test. Their Surveillance Mode warns that someone is approaching the rear of the vehicle and activates a chime, closes the driver’s window and locks the doors. The pursuit-rated vehicles also offer optional Level III or Level IV ballistic door panels as options and deflective steel intrusion plates are built into the driver and passenger seat backs, while multiple air bags and crumple zones can diminish crash injuries.
The adjective “heavy-duty” is overused a lot today, but these heavy-duty PI features live up to the description and they include steering and suspension components; antilock disc brakes with unique, inverted hat vented rotors; a cooling system controlled with a police calibrated fan; hefty 18″ steel wheels with police purposed tires; and more. The Utility is only available in FWD while the sedan is available in FWD or AWD. The 365 HP V-6 EcoBoost engine continues to be the engine of choice in both models of Interceptors and the stats from the MSP tests support that choice.
We reported in the last issue how Ford has responded to the complaints and litigation surrounding carbon monoxide contamination in the Utility interiors. In case you missed that coverage, check with your local Ford dealer or visit www.fleet.ford.com.
Another issue developed as we were preparing this article. A Louisiana sheriff’s office has notified Ford they are boycotting the company due to the automaker’s support of NFL players’ actions during the playing of the national anthem. Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington wrote that “he will no longer purchase Ford products as long as Ford sides with those who have no regard for the men and women who protect and serve this great nation.” He continued, “Yes, the NFL players have a right to protest as they deem necessary, but we, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, and our taxpayers have a right to spend our money elsewhere.” Whittington’s office has a fleet of over 300 vehicles and bought nearly $750,000 worth of Ford vehicles in 2016 and 2017. When contacted, the dealership which sold the vehicles stated that they were not aware of Ford’s comments, but Ford’s stance concerns them as well. It should be noted that members of the Ford family have owned the NFL Detroit Lions since 1963 and the team plays on Ford Field. It remains to be seen how all this will play out.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
With the movement to LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology, emergency lighting took a giant leap forward from the days of halogen bulbs and strobes. LEDs use less power while being brighter, they are cooler and can be used almost anywhere on a vehicle body or in an interior. Plus, they continue to get cheaper and smaller. Following is a review of new emergency lighting advancements, listed alphabetically by manufacturer.
Block Communications
Available from Block Communications is the FLASHBAC, a true plug-n-play rear flasher unit for the Charger, PI Utility and Tahoe which alternates the halos, brake lights and reverse lights. It is DOT compliant and is proudly made in the USA.
Code 3®, Inc.
The new XTP Series incorporates a high performance light into a compact, sleek design at a fraction of the cost of other manufacturers. Its waterproof, compact size allows placement inside or outside of a vehicle, including grilles, mirrors, push bumpers, trunk lids, windows, and more. The units are available in multiple flash patterns in single, double or multicolor models, with a dimming capability.
Code 3 has also launched their new Chase dash and deck light which features functionality and safety with its adjustable visor and dual switch control. The visor prevents flashback and is easily moved to match any glass contour. It can be plugged into a 12V power source or hardwired and its design allows installation inside front, rear or side windows.
SoundOffSignal®
SoundOff has extended its mPOWER® product line of lightbars. In a collaboration with Dow Corning®, they have created a first generation optical design called Clear Duty® technology which provides a one-piece housing and optic design which delivers a number of advantages over conventional polycarbonate optical lenses on other lightbars. Some of the advantages of this lightbar are that, despite being only one inch tall, it is 50% sleeker than other models while providing a brighter output than comparable models. The inboard and corner light modules are designed to be continuous, thereby eliminating lighting gaps. Alley lights can be configured in single, dual and tri-colors to maximize intersection awareness, plus the mPOWER is the only lightbar equipped with a standard photocell which automatically dims the lightbar at night.
Whelen Engineering Co., Inc.
Whelen recently introduced BroadBand Blue™ which is their answer to Monochromatic Blue. The new Broadband Blue delivers a higher intensity, creates a larger optical image and produces a more consistent color, all while being easier on the eyes – especially at night – and it meets all SAE specifications.
Utilizing phosphor coated Blue technology, BroadBand Blue was developed to provide an increased intensity through window tints and to create a larger optical image and a more consistent color blue. BroadBand Blue provides a higher intensity without increasing current.
BroadBand Blue is currently available in Whelen’s Inner Edge® FST™ and RST™ Series and will be available in more products soon.
Other Equipment and Storage Solutions
This section contains information about some of the other equipment needed by your officers to do their jobs safely and more efficiently. No one ever gave much thought to equipment storage when it was all crammed into the trunk of a sedan, but that all changed with the Crown Victoria rear-end collision fires. Extensive forensic investigations of those fires revealed that, in most instances, the fires were caused by loose equipment in the trunk puncturing the gas tank which was mounted horizontally between the differential and the trunk. In addition to shielding the gas tanks, Ford developed the first OEM trunk equipment storage containers and several aftermarket vendors designed their own units as well. With the popularity of LE SUVs, the need for safe, secure weapon and equipment storage has become crucial. Thus, we have added the latest storage solutions to the other equipment in this section.
All Fleet Solutions
The new DVT-01 Dual Voltage Timer provides circuit protection from surges, brownout, static, spikes, and reverse polarity. This new unit includes many features, such as Low Voltage Disconnect. To ensure that a temporary load does not create a nuisance shutdown, the DVT Timer will wait 15 seconds before disconnecting the circuit. The entire DVT Series allows the low voltage cutoff to be configured to either 11 VDC or 11.75 VDC. Over-Voltage Protection immediately disconnects the circuit when voltage exceeds 18 VDC and reconnects when the voltage returns to <18 VDC.
Code 3, Inc.
(www.code3pse.com)
Code 3 recently released their new wireless quad camera system, the Gemineye, which provides drivers with a 360 degree sense of security when maneuvering police vehicles by providing visibility of up to four blind spot angles at once. The entire system, including cameras, can be installed in less than 30 minutes with no need to run any wires other than one power source. The Quad Camera System comes with a seven inch widescreen LCD high resolution touch screen color monitor with quad split screen capability and a color infrared camera.
Estes AWS
The new Rapid Access Weapon Lockers open electronically, with no combinations to remember, and the drawer slides open automatically which allows officers to remove their weapons quickly. Estes AWS has weapon lockers for sedans (trunk mounted), SUVs and pickup trucks. The SUV weapon locker can be a single or double unit.
Hardwire, LLC
Hardwire has two products which greatly improve officers’ safety in active shooter situations. Their Transparent Window Insert seamlessly covers the existing windows in police car doors while still allowing normal operation of the window. The insert mounts inside the glass and requires no modification to the vehicle. It provides NIJ Level III handgun and shotgun protection. They are available for both of the Ford Interceptors and others.
Hardwire’s Vehicle Door Armor is a ballistic panel which mounts to the outside of a vehicle door with antitamper fasteners and is OEM color matched to blend in with the existing vehicle color and also accepts decals. The lightweight, high performance armor panel provides NIJ Level IIIA+ protection and will stay securely in place on the roughest terrains. These panels are modular, scalable and upgradeable.
Havis, Inc.
Havis introduced a new lightweight touch screen display (TSD-101) which mounts directly to a vehicle’s dash panel. The new space-saving display functions as an external monitor, providing the option of docking and mounting computing devices elsewhere like the trunk to maximize space and create a comfortable work environment. It features an anti-glare screen and a red monochrome night mode designed to minimize eyestrain; a screen size of 11.6″ length x 8.5″ width x 1.4″ depth; a high resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels; and a total weight of 2.2 lbs. A friction-based hinge on the new mount series creates a rapid tilt swivel and rotation motion for a range of left, right, portrait to landscape and upward adjustments, allowing users to lift the touch screen display.
Jotto Desk
Known for their superior consoles and partitions, Jotto has unveiled new storage systems for the PI Utility and the Tahoe PPV. Proudly made in the USA from 12-gauge aluminum, they provide security options in eight configurations and retain easy access to the spare tire. They are rated at 200 pounds total capacity.
Jotto’s exclusive Wide Body AR/ZRT Console was designed for Fish and Game agents and other agencies which utilize the popular LE pickup trucks from Ford, Ram and Chevrolet and the Tahoe SUV. They securely mount and conceal an AR-type rifle in a 12-gauge aluminum console which mounts between the vehicle’s bucket seats while also providing 20″ of equipment mounting space. The weapon locks feature Jotto’s patented ZRT Lock Heads with SmartLok technology which we have reported on previously. The locks are also featured on their ZRT Gun Racks. The lock heads incorporate the features which LE require and are easily adapted to fit a variety of weapons. In addition, SmartLok technology makes them impossible to be “hotwired” with even something as simple as a 9V battery, as has been reported with others on the market.
Lind Electronics, Inc.
The newest product from Lind Electronics for law enforcement is their T2 Shutdown Timer which protects the vehicle battery from over discharge and safeguards communications and other sensitive equipment from both low and high voltage damage. The T2 turns off electrical loads at a preset time after the car engine is shut down and the unit has two outputs; each has its own time delay.
Lund Industries, Inc.
Lund has announced the addition of new “two gun” versions of their LOFT overhead gun storage for police SUVs. The LOFT system is unique in that it utilizes generally unused space in the rear quarter area of the SUVs between the headliner and the top of the windows. The new “two gun” models have been modified to accommodate an M4-style rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun securely and completely hidden from outside the vehicle. Popular options include mounts for warning lights, internal LED lighting and a new M4 magazine box.
Lund has also added a new FPIU raised equipment box to their line of SUV equipment boxes which is designed to partner with the LOFT gun storage systems. The legs lower the overall height of the box to maximize the opening and access to the LOFT, while still allowing room for an optional lower/second drawer.
OPS Public Safety
OPS has launched a series of budget-friendly storage systems for the PI Utility and Chevy Tahoe. Aptly named the Pursuit Series, they are affordable, user-friendly storage solutions for weapons and gear in three different modular units. The three units are a single storage drawer, a weapons cabinet and a weapons drawer, with more configurations on the drawing board. Like the company’s other storage systems, these are modular units, meaning the weapons’ drawer and the weapons’ cabinet can easily be exchanged on top of the single storage drawer using an easy four bolt installation system. The drawers come with a latch which only requires one hand to open, while the cabinet uses heavy-duty hydraulic gas shocks to keep the lid securely open and closed.
Pro-gard Products, LLC
Pro-gard has announced the launch of their new Cargo Security Cover which conceals equipment, tools, gun racks, and other gear kept in the cargo area of the PI Utility and Tahoe. This cover keeps items out of sight by creating a “trunk” for SUVs. It features a steel frame and is topped with a heavy-duty rubber mat. The quick installation requires no holes, but it is designed to mount to Pro-gard’s Cargo Barrier.
Pro-gard has also added “Fender Wings” to their LE vehicle accessory offerings which offer additional vehicle front end protection when added to their HD Push Bumpers. These attach easily to the push bar and use factory mounts. They are available for the Tahoe, Charger and both Ford Interceptors.
Setina Manufacturing Co., Inc.
(www.setina.com)
Setina’s new “SmartBelt” System is the latest technology in Center Pull Seat Belt design. The SmartBelt’s electronic seat belt retractor system eliminates the officer’s need to manually actuate the locking mechanism to activate the restraint mode. The SmartBelt allows the officer to simply situate the passenger and buckle. The retractors automatically sense when to lock to secure the detainee. The SmartBelt System comes with a safety alert signaling system, alerting the officer if the retractor is out of restraint mode. Its features include an automatic electronic locking system; a retractor locking mode signal light; stays in lock mode, even during a power loss; FVMSS approved components; quick, easy installation; compatible with replacement, cover style or factory seats; and a retrofit kit is available.
Stalker Radar
Stalker Radar has just unveiled its new Virtual Display which removes the radar display from the dash and relocates it to the vehicle’s touch screen. As a result of programming the steering wheel auxiliary buttons to control the radar’s operation, this keeps the officer’s eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Radar speed data can now be read directly from a touch screen and radar functions controlled through steering wheel auxiliary control buttons (or the touch screen). The Stalker Virtual Display is compatible with the Uconnect 12.1 system in the 2016 ½ and newer Dodge Charger Pursuit and with the Havis Integrated Control System in the 2013 and newer Ford Interceptor Sedan and Utility models.
TruckVault, Inc.
TruckVault has unveiled their new Elevated TruckVault which is designed to allow spare tire access while maximizing storage space. It is hinged and raises up to allow the spare to be pulled out from underneath. It mounts securely to factory locations.
Tuffy Security Products
Tuffy has streamlined two sizes of their popular Heavy Duty Tactical Lock-Boxes. One is designed to hold an AR perfectly and fits virtually any sedan trunk or SUV cargo space. The other is larger and holds a 12-gauge shotgun or (most) larger weapons, plus other gear. Sedan boxes fit in the trunk well and all boxes are secured with pick-resistant, patented Pry-Guard II locking systems built into the lids.
Tufloc®
The newest (patent pending) gun lock from Tufloc allows for quick, one-handed removal of a weapon. When the gun is pushed into place, the self-adjusting locking arms ratchet to custom-fit each model of gun for maximum security. The locks function with an electronic delay timer or with the use of a key. The mounting plate quickly mounts to most prisoner partitions.
This wraps up our Transportation 2018 article and we hope it has helped you make those important decisions for your fleet. As always, if I’ve left out your favorite piece of new equipment, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you’ve found to be useful in the world of police vehicles and accessories.
Sergeant James Post appreciates your comments and suggestions for future articles. He may be reached at kopkars@arkansas.net.