The brave men and women who serve their communities as police officers do more than simply uphold the law. They are defenders of the peace, public relations liaisons, and crisis interventionists. As representatives of the justice system, police forces must convey a sense of both authority and polished professionalism. This high standard doesn’t just apply to the officers themselves—their vehicles must appear equally composed. After all, these vehicles are often the first thing the public sees when there is a police presence in an area, and they must create a powerful impression while also ensuring the safety and preparedness of the officers within.
Ensuring that patrol cars are equipped, both inside and outside, for any situation, is an important responsibility for law enforcement agencies and other emergency services. In the following blog post, we’ll discuss a few of the most common police vehicle upfitting solutions and why they are crucial to the efficacy and efficiency of any police department.
Durable Vehicle Wraps
In most cases, the cars in a police fleet must be clearly marked and identifiable as law enforcement vehicles. Each patrol car must maintain a consistent, clean, and professional appearance to ensure that public trust and respect are maintained. That is why each department has its own unique emblem and decal design. As part of the upfitting process, the stock vehicles that are destined for a career as police vehicles are typically outfitted with customized wraps, which serve to identify them. These wraps may also designate specific units within the force, such as Animal Control, Collision Response, and others.
When vehicle wraps are applied, it is also important that they are durable enough to withstand the rigors of heavy usage, ensuring they can keep up with any demands the department may subject them to. They should also protect the vehicle itself by serving as a shield against UV radiation and other damaging conditions. We recommend companies, such as Freedom Outfitting in Phoenix, which use high-quality reflective vinyl to transform stock vehicles into striking, mission-ready machinery.
Emergency Lighting Upgrades
One of the most important ways police can make their presence known is through the use of their emergency lighting, typically in the form of either singular lightbars or separate bulbs. These lights must be bright enough to get the attention of drivers and pedestrians nearby, without placing the public at risk, and be clearly identifiable as emergency lights.
They also need to activate swiftly to ensure the fastest possible police response. As the safety of the police and the public depend on their reliability, emergency lighting must unfailingly switch on whenever its usage is required. While many states allow for unmarked police vehicles, most also require at least one clearly visible emergency light or one that can be made visible when necessary.
An essential part of police vehicle upfitting is the installation of clear, bright, and highly visible emergency lighting, which should be able to be seen from 360 degrees around, even during inclement weather conditions. The installation process includes roof-mounted lighting, as well as dash lighting and other features. Modern emergency lights also make use of energy-efficient, high-performance LED bulbs, which are resistant to heat, cold, and heavy moisture. This can help to reduce overall maintenance costs and improve the overall efficiency of the entire fleet.
Improved Storage Solutions
Police officers have many duties that come with the job, and they must be equally prepared for each one. That’s why efficient, high-density storage systems are a critical feature of any law enforcement vehicle. More effective storage systems in a patrol car mean faster response times for officers, a fact that directly impacts the safety of the communities the police serve.
When police vehicles are upfitted, the process frequently involves installing storage for items such as protective gear, lethal and nonlethal weaponry, first aid kits, and traffic control equipment. Any upgrade to a fleet of police vehicles should include easily accessible, highly organized, secure, and compartmentalized storage systems. These can include trunks and cabinets, which may be built into the rear and passenger sides of the vehicle.
Specialty vehicles may also have larger spaces that can be used to accommodate critical custom equipment. For instance, K-9 vehicles might require built-in kennels, safety barriers, and storage for specialized gear.
Essential Safety Gear
One of the most important purposes of upfitting police cars is to enhance operational safety for the officers who utilize the vehicles. When we refer to operational safety, we are referring to both the safe use of the vehicle and the safety of the officers as they carry out their duties. Cars can be made safer by securing vital items inside. If anything is able to move around while the vehicle is in motion, it can place officers at risk.
Other safety features apply to the responsibilities of a police department more directly. For example, state-of-the-art communications systems are frequent features of a vehicle upfit, as they allow officers to communicate clearly and effectively with one another while on duty. These systems may also include built-in computer systems, which can be used for navigation and surveillance. Communications with the public can also be improved by providing loud, clear sirens and speaker systems that can be heard from great distances.
Safety upgrades to police vehicles can also include camera systems to improve security and visibility in the field, and other technological improvements that allow officers a greater degree of understanding of their surroundings. They may also include physical upgrades, such as ballistic armor and secure partitions, which provide a barrier between officers and passengers.
When the time comes to upgrade your fleet, contact a trusted police vehicle upfitting service that can handle your requirements and ensure your department can respond to situations quickly, efficiently, and reliably.
