Star Wars‑Themed Launch Unveils New Texas Police SUV, Uniforms

The Laredo Police Department recently unveiled redesigned patrol vehicles, updated uniforms and a new shoulder patch through a Star Wars-themed rollout that blended cinematic imagery with the department's ongoing modernization effort.

The rollout began after the department posted a social media video May 4 — unofficially known by fans as "Star Wars" Day — featuring yellow text scrolling into the distance in the style of the "Star Wars" films and phrases such as "a new force awakens" and "every new era demands evolution."

"The mission never changes. To protect. To serve. To stand watch over the city of Laredo," the video's scrolling yellow text read. "A stronger identity. A united force. A new chapter in the galaxy of public safety."

The clip later showed Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez and another officer unveiling new badges and uniforms before patrol units drove through Laredo and stopped at San Agustin Cathedral downtown.

According to an LPD spokesperson, the department acquired 100 pursuit-rated Chevrolet Tahoe police-package patrol units through the city's general fund and six more through Operation Lone Star funding. Each fully equipped unit cost approximately $116,000.

The newly acquired vehicles include removable Getac laptops that allow officers to complete reports inside the unit or elsewhere in the field. The units also feature in-car camera systems integrated with officers' body cameras, along with license plate readers capable of alerting officers to potentially stolen vehicles. Updated Federal Signal emergency lighting systems were also added to improve visibility during traffic stops and roadside encounters, officials said.

The new navy blue-and-silver color scheme marks a sharp departure from the black-and-white patrol vehicles long associated with LPD and many other law enforcement agencies across Texas. The fleet also features oversized "POLICE" lettering above a navy blue stripe displaying " LAREDO," a noticeable shift from earlier unit designs, including the black-and-white vehicles with gold lettering unveiled in 2024.

Several officers said the updated fleet would help residents more easily distinguish LPD patrol units from sheriff's deputies, constables and state troopers, whose vehicles often feature similar black-and-white color schemes.

Changes to the uniforms and shoulder patch were subtler than the overhaul of the patrol SUVs.

The shoulder patch replaced the " Gateway to Mexico" insignia and the temporary 175th anniversary patch used during recent department celebrations with a simplified design that retained the Texas flag while adding San Agustin Cathedral and the words " Laredo Police."

The updated uniform, while retaining a similar appearance to previous versions, was described by several officers as more tactical, flexible and durable, with material designed to allow greater mobility while providing better protection from scrapes and cuts during arrests and physical confrontations.

Rodriguez said that while many around the world celebrated "Star Wars," the department used the occasion to highlight service, unity and commitment through the unveiling of the updated uniform, shoulder patch and patrol fleet.

"These are symbols that represent more than a new look. They represent continued evolution and our dedication to excellence, accountability and public trust," he said. "Every detail was designed to honor our history, strengthen our identity and equip our officers for the future."

The latest rollout, particularly the new fleet, builds on a broader modernization effort launched after Rodriguez became police chief in 2023, with City Council approving multiple vehicle purchases and technology upgrades in the years since.

As previously reported by the Laredo Morning Times in early 2026, Rodriguez said the department accelerated vehicle replacement efforts after reviewing an aging fleet that included vehicles remaining in service well beyond their expected life spans.

"A 2012 car, in 2025, shouldn't have 52,000 miles," he said at the time. "A 2012 model should've been in the junkyard."

Rodriguez also said the department moved away from assigning vehicles to individual officers and instead transitioned to a rotation-based system intended to distribute wear more evenly across the fleet, as some patrol areas generate significantly heavier vehicle use than others.

As older vehicles cycled through the rotation more frequently, the department began phasing out units that lacked the technology needed to meet current Criminal Justice Information Services standards. Rodriguez said purchasing new units ultimately became more cost-effective than retrofitting aging vehicles to meet modern policing and data requirements.

"We were given the opportunity to prioritize our needs, and one of our biggest needs right now is marked patrol cars," he said at the time, adding that the initiative is expected to continue beyond the current expansion and could eventually include up to 75 additional units.

While the department's rollout described the unveiling as "a new era in a city far, far South Texas," Rodriguez, also participating in the Star Wars theme, connected the fanfare back to the department's role in Laredo.

"Our officers, guided not by the Force, but by duty and integrity, continue to stand strong to protect and serve this community we love," he said.

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