Fort Collins Police patrol cars are getting a new look, but the look is retro. I think it is very cool.  According to Fort Collins Police Services:  Twenty-seven Ford Explorer Police Interceptors have been ordered. Two will be ready to go in mid-April.  The rest of them will be delivered in July.

The Interceptors have a black and white theme. The vehicle’s base color is black except for the doors which have been covered in a white 3M-vinyl wrap. The new design includes the image of the police badge on the front doors and "Fort Collins Police" lettering running along both sides.

WHY CHANGE THE COLOR SCHEME?

  • increases visibility and recognition. Research conducted in Sunnyvale, CA concluded “black and white police vehicles are more recognizable by the public”. The concept of community policing relies heavily on active participation of citizens to help solve community problems. Having street officers maintain high visibility helps build collaborative community relationships.
  • increases public safety. More community visibility helps to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
  • distinguishes police cars with prominent markings to help allay citizen fears of police impersonators.
  • increases the professional image and officer command presence.
  • enhances officer safety through improve visibility.
  • is cost effective as the agency will be replacing nearly 20% of its fleet in 2013 and will simply order black vehicles instead of white at no additional cost.

During the next few years Fort Collins Police Services will be using both the new black-and-white Interceptors as well as the current white patrol cars until new cars are rotated in and replace the old ones.

Old Fort Collins Police Car
Matthew McGourty, Larimer County Police Archives
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