New look, latest technology for police squads
April 29, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) – The Minneapolis Police Department today unveiled the first of its newly designed and upgraded patrol cars to hit the streets. MPD will gradually replace its fleet of approximately 200 squad cars with these redesigned Fords which feature black front and rear ends with a large police badge on a white midsection. If this design looks familiar, it’s because it is. The black and white design was last seen on Minneapolis streets in 1973 when MPD drove Dodge Coronets. In 1974, MPD went to the current all-white design on its Plymouth Furys.
The new MPD squads will also introduce a new motto that highlights officers’ deep dedication to the work they do and their commitment to the people of the community: To Protect with Courage, To Serve with Compassion. Police Chief Tim Dolan is pleased with the new motto that officers helped create. He said “we’re proud of what we do, and we’re proud of how we do it, and that’s why we’re going to put this new motto on the doors.”
Chief Dolan believes “the cars will be an important tool for us. Next to us, they are the most visible part of MPD. Not only are they going to help us do our jobs more effectively and more safely, thanks to better technology, but this new car design is getting back to what worked well in the past—it’s easier to see, everyone will know it’s a squad car from far away.”
Better technology in the squads is part of the City’s multi-faceted approach to preventing and reducing crime. Minneapolis’ investment in public safety cameras and ShotSpotter has achieved results. Violent crime continues to fall and this year to date is 10 percent less than at this time in 2007.
The new squad cars will have enhanced Mobile Data Computers (MDC) and use the 911 Computer Automated Dispatch (CAD) system, allowing officers to get more accurate information quickly. The MDCs will be integrated with the on-board digital camera system and permit automatic continuous video data collection, removing the possibility for human error in turning the cameras on and off. Some cars will be equipped with traffic signal preemptors, making it possible for traffic lights to be changed to green for emergency responders, and new low frequency sirens that are felt as a vibration as well as heard. Some squads will also be testing an Automatic License Plate Recognition system, which can help police find stolen vehicles and identify convicted felons, wanted individuals and vehicles involved in Amber Alerts.
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