The flashing lights in your rear view mirror may belong to a new kind of vehicle patrolling the roadway. The chosen replacement for Washington State Patrol’s fleet of Crown Vics - the Chevrolet Caprice PPV - has made its debut in Eastern Washington.
A set of four Caprices were issued to four troopers based out of the Spokane district office. The vehicles were already equipped with the lights, bumpers, computers, radar - everything they need for their mobile office.
It was not a change made by choice explains WSP spokesperson, Dan Coon. Ford Motor Company discontinued the Police Interceptor Crown Victoria last year leaving WSP little time to test out their options to restructure the fleet.
“We knew how to build them up,” Coon explained. “The seats, radio, equipment - doing that for 25 years with the Crown Vic. With the Caprice - new car, new model, new make - there’s a learning curve.”
It’s a more expensive ride. Compared to the Crown Vic, which cost the state about $37,000 to fully outfit the patrol vehicle, the Caprice is priced at about $56,000 - which includes the new mobile office platform and heavy infrastructure modification.
