The city of Los Angeles takes extra care to ensure that its vehicles are up to standard. The process of making a police car in Los Angeles starts by ordering the vehicle from an auto manufacturer. Many police vehicles are specially modified with added safety features. Below are some of the details behind how police cars are made in Los Angeles.
Auctioned Cars
According to Fortune Magazine, the average American vehicle spends 95% of its lifetime parked instead of on the road. Police departments throughout the country purchase cars at auctions and private car sales to get vehicles that are of good quality and in perfect working order. These cars spend most of their life parked, or they have only seen light use, so they’re ideal for police duty. In addition, these auctions are a great way for the city of Los Angeles to save money on vehicle purchases.
Customization
Once a car is purchased, it needs to be customized. According to data from the World Steel Association, U.S. steel production was 6.4 million metric tons in December 2020, up more than 5% from 6.1 million metric tons in November 2020. One of the many steel features added to a police vehicle is an armored frame that can withstand bullets. Other modifications include specialized lighting and sirens, reinforced suspension systems and wheels, and other safety features that are designed to protect police officers.
New Paint
The LAPD, or the Los Angeles Police Department, has a signature black and white paint scheme for their police cars. They also have the LA City logo printed on the doors. This paint job needs to be refreshed every few years, as the harsh sunshine takes its toll on the car’s exterior. The LAPD also occasionally changes the design of the paint job to reflect the changing times. Still, police cars are instantly recognizable once their signature black and white paint job is in place.
Specialized Equipment
In addition to steel modifications, many police cars in LA need to have specialized equipment. For instance, radios are built into the dashboard and trunk of each car so that officers can communicate with one another. These radios aren’t your typical car radios; they are designed to work with a special police frequency and have encryption technology that helps keep information secure. Additionally, computers are installed in each car so officers can look up information on suspects or victims. Cameras are also installed to help capture evidence.
Safety Tests
Once the car has been customized and outfitted with specialized police equipment, it needs to undergo a series of safety tests. These tests ensure that the vehicle is safe and reliable and that it meets the standards of the Los Angeles Police Department. For instance, brake tests are conducted to make sure that the brakes work properly, and the car is also tested to make sure that the armor and other modifications are up to par. Finally, after all of the tests have been passed, the vehicle is ready to be put into service. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, peace officers in California must be 21 years old. With so many younger officers behind the wheel, it’s critical for the LA Police Department to make sure that their vehicles are safe and reliable.
Once a car is ready for use, it can be put into service and assigned to an officer. Los Angeles police officers have a responsibility to keep the people of their city safe, and the vehicles they drive play an important role in making this possible. By following a careful process, the city of Los Angeles can ensure that its police cars are up to standard and that officers have the best tools available for their work.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio
