CC_Minutes_2010_0111 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

January 8, 2010 • Reinforced frame and body mounts for officer safety during crashes • Upgraded braking system for emergency driving • External oil-to-coolant heat exchanger to help reduce engine oil temperatures which help the vehicles idle for extended lengths of time without overheating • An upgraded rear axel to reduce the risk of driveline failure • Heavy duty shock absorbers • Steel wheels • Higher idle speed and changes in the emissions settings to support the electronic load • Vehicle computer is tuned for more aggressive transmission shift points, and the transmission itself is upgraded for firmer and harder shifts • The front seats have steel "stab plate" built into the back so that a suspect being transported in the back seat cannot stab the officers in the front seat with a sharp object • Stainless steel dual exhaust systems • Higher rated coil springs for additional ground clearance and stability • Break in the front bench seat-- this gap between the seats is generally filled by a console holding radios, controls for emergency equipment, and often a laptop computer • Upgraded alternator and battery to handle the increased electrical load due to emergency equipment • Full sized trunk to allow for increased storage needs The Department purchases all automobiles from the Minnesota cooperative purchasing agreement more commonly known as the "State Bid" which lists 30 different vehicles available for purchase. Purchasing by State Bid assures the City of paying the lowest price from a vendor. Of these 30 State Bid vehicles, 20 are trucks, SUVs or vans. Of the 10 remaining sedans, only four have been deemed suitable by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sponsored Michigan State Police Vehicle Testing process. The Ford Police Interceptor is one of the approved vehicles. The Michigan State Police testing process is considered world renown and is the most reliable and impartial testing process in the United States. Fleet managers from across the country rely on the Michigan State Police Testing process to fairly evaluate the available automobiles used in law enforcement. These four models, deemed suitable for Police work by the NIJ are also the only four vehicles for which aftermarket police equipment is readily available. Aftermarket equipment includes: prisoner partition screens, air bag compliant computer and radio mounting equipment, undercarriage protective plates, and trunk storage equipment. The Department brings forward all aftermarket equipment form the retired to the new squad (see the attachment to this memorandum for a complete list). The Department has exclusively purchased Ford Police Interceptor vehicles for nearly twenty years. Prior to that the Department utilized police package vehicles from a variety of manufacturers. The Department moved to an exclusive fleet of Police Interceptors because 2