Cranford PD Chooses SUV Police Vehicles For 2014

The Cranford Police Department is looking to purchase 2014 Ford Utility Police Inceptor vehicles as their newest front line vehicles, instead of sedans, Lt. Davenport and Chief Mason said during a presentation to the committee on Monday.

Currently, the department is working with Dodge Chargers as the current front line vehicles, but they have been having maintenance issues involving the breaks and rotors so wanted to replace the front line vehicles with something else.

Lt. Davenport explained that the gas mileage on the vehicle is not that far off from the sedans and there is 15 cubic feet more of interior space for all of the equipment.

“The Inceptor will need less repairs, less time out of service and more time on the road and that’s our goal to be efficient,” Davenport said.

The department is on a two-year replacement plan for all front line vehicles due to the amount of time in use and mileage that is accrued, Chief Mason explained. The department all day uses front line vehicles, every day.

The estimated overall cost for the six new vehicles would be $72,225, but after two years the department owns a vehicle for a dollar, so the cost would be $4,225.70 per year for two years, Davenport explained.

“Short time price is worth it for long term gain,” he said. He went on to say that they intend the vehicle will last longer and serve their purposes better.

Mason added that these vehicles would make it easier for officers to use during inclement weather such as snow, ice and floods without having to swap out equipment and risking losing items.

Right now, the department has six SUV's in its fleet, but one of them is not a front line vehicle. In total, the department has 30 vehicles in its fleet and rotates vehicles out as new ones are purchased. Those vehicles are either traded in to a dealer or offered to other Township departments.

Commissioner Tom Hannen said during a ride-along last year he experienced the crowdedness of the Charger and believed the department needed vehicles with more space, both for the officers and for the equipment.

The committee unanimously agreed the department should go with the Ford Utility Police Inceptor as requested.

Davenport added that 52% of the 200 municipalities in Cranford’s vehicle co-op are choosing the utility as their 2014 vehicle.