APD Unveils New State-of-the-Art Police Cruisers

(The following is a press release from the Atlanta Police Department, written in support of the photos Cascade Patch took at Thursday's unveiling.  Initially we reported that these were Hybrid cars, but they are not officially Hybrids.  Ford is calling their motor EcoBoost, which is somewhere right below a hybrid.)


ATLANTA – The Atlanta Police Department will soon have a new look on the street with the rollout of 70 new Ford Interceptor patrol vehicles.
The vehicles are equipped with the latest in-car electronic technology including high-definition dashboard and rear seat video cameras, full-time digital video and audio recording, automatic download of video clips to a network of distributed video servers, an integrated real-time GPS Field Management System with mapping and wireless “hot spot” capabilities with access to various data sources including our Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS), our Records Management System (RMS), crime maps, Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC, internet/intranet resources and our latest predictive policing software (Predpol).
“The Atlanta police force is equipped to protect Atlanta’s streets like never before. From additional boots on the ground to these new high-tech equipped cars to the Video Integration Center, these technologies function as force multipliers that improve public safety and the efficiency and effectiveness of our officers,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.
These technologies not only equip officers with the most up-to-date tools for crime-fighting, but also provide the Department accountability for vehicle use. The GPS Field Management System allows supervisors to know where patrol cars are located at all times, their speed and other factors important to managing personnel and resources.
Ford Motor Co.’s decision to discontinue the manufacture of the Crown Victoria led APD to consider a different vehicle.
The Department, in close coordination with the city’s Department of Public Works, began considering several makes and models in 2011, including the Dodge Charger and the Chevrolet Caprice.
After months of research, discussions with bidders and other law enforcement agencies, and numerous test drives, the Department decided to purchase 2014 Ford Interceptor vehicles. The fully-equipped vehicles were purchased from Akins Ford in Winder, GA for approximately $39,245 apiece.
“We are satisfied that these Ford Interceptors will meet the rigorous demands of a 24-hour police vehicle,” said Chief George Turner. “It’s vital that our officers have the newest and highest-quality equipment to properly fight crime. We anticipate these vehicles will meet our demands today, and for many years to come.”
The vehicles will be phased into service, beginning in September, in Zone 4 (southwest Atlantea area) and Zone 6 (southeast Atlanta area). The identification markings on the vehicle will remain unchanged.
The Department will keep its current fleet of Ford Crown Victoria models, until they are no longer useful. Rather than completely replacing the Department’s 300 patrol vehicles at once, it will replace the Crown Victorias on an annual basis as they outlive their usefulness.