GUILFORD, Conn. -- When it comes to setting trends in law enforcement, a small police department like Guilford's might not be first one that comes to mind.
But Guilford is leading the way in Connecticut in transitioning from sedans to SUVs for its patrol vehicles.
Guilford purchased two 2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors, and is considering buying more for its patrol staff.
The reason for the switch is the long-used Ford Crown Victoria vehicles have been discontinued, forcing law enforcement agencies to examine other options.
Other departments are beginning to use SUVs like the Ford Explorer, but Guilford appears to be the only one to completely integrate them for patrols.
Switching from a sedan to an SUV costs $1,800 more. A Ford Explorer costs $27,400, while a Ford Taurus Sedan is $25,600.
Guilford Deputy Chief Jeffrey Hutchinson said the SUVs are worth the extra cost.
Hutchinson said the sedan is tighter, more compact and has limited visibility.
The Interceptors have all-wheel-drive and better gas mileage than the Crown Victoria, which averages 10 miles per gallon.
"If you're looking for a gas guzzler, the Crown Victoria is it," said Hutchinson.
According to Ford's official website, the Explorer is 20 percent more fuel efficient than the Crown Victoria.
Guilford officers say the SUVs are easier to drive, bigger, and allow for more equipment to be transported.
But not every law enforcement agency is making the switch. The New Haven Police Department, with a fleet of 150 cars, wants to keep its Crown Victoria cars. Guilford has 10 police vehicles.
"Money is an issue for a department with a large fleet. Just because the Crown Victoria's are being discontinued doesn't mean they are going to disappear any time soon," said David Hartman, New Haven police spokesman.
Hartman says a department transitioning to all SUVs will have its advantages and disadvantages.
He acknowledged Interceptors are good for inclement weather and provide more storage, but SUVs are top heavy and more likely to roll in a pursuit.
Guilford Police Chief Thomas A. Terribile responded that the Explorers are low to the ground, and he is not worried about the vehicle's stability.
The Explorer is equipped with digital settings and strobe lights on the side of the car as an added safety feature.
Guilford police Lt. Robert Robinson said the new SUVs are easier to get in and out of.
"Most importantly, they allow for the public to see us better," Robinson said.
Robinson said SUVs also allow the department to transport equipment more effectively.
"If we have one officer in North Guilford and another by the shoreline, and someone needs to be somewhere in the middle, we can't afford to leave any equipment behind," he said.
Three patrol officers are currently assigned to one vehicle. Other patrolmen are rotating in shifts, driving the vehicle to get familiar with it.
"There's nothing worse than getting into a new car and not knowing how to use it," Robinson said.
Trumbull and Simsbury have somewhat jumped on the Interceptor bandwagon. Milford is considering adding some Interceptors to their fleet of Crown Victoria cars, said Jeffrey Nielsen, Milford's police spokesman.
Currently, Trumbull doesn't have any on the road as patrol vehicles. The department uses two vehicles for administrative purposes.
Simsbury police Lt. Frederick Sifodaskalakis said the department purchased two SUVs and will consider whether to add more.
"Compared to the Taurus, we loved it. Our officers that are over six feet tall can fit in it, in comparison to the latter," Sifodaskalakis said.
The Interceptor was an option for the Madison Police Department, but it decided to buy the 2013 Chrysler Police Durango.
Madison Police Chief Jack Drumm said the Durango was better priced and a better fit for the department.
"We took most of the vehicles into consideration. Just because the Interceptor is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's better," he said.
North Haven is transitioning from the Crown Victoria to the Dodge Charger. Hamden will be transitioning to Utility Interceptors and the Taurus.
Branford Police Capt. Geoffrey Morgan said the department opted for the Ford Taurus as its patrol car, and tried out the Ford Escape, Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer as larger patrol vehicles.
The department has also purchased five leftover Crown Victorias.
He said the biggest benefits to using SUVs are the ability to handle inclement weather and the added space.
"There's no one tool that's perfect for the entire job, but with SUVs, it eliminates the problem with the other cars that are so small.
"With the SUV, it's like putting an entire office in there and it can fit," Morgan said. "So if an agency wants to be able to give the officer enough room for everything they need, you're almost forced to go with a larger model police package."
Copyright 2012 - New Haven Register, Conn.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
