Thread: Equipment for Patrol Cars

This question is for current or former Troopers. Did any you get to make decisions on how your patrol cars were equipped (i.e. "slick" top vs light bar, wheel covers, crash bars, window deflectors) coming out of your respective academies?

Im not a trooper but I believe that the Mass. State Police may add equiptment to their vehicles as they wish.

I dont think they get options as to what equiptment is on the vehicle when they get it though....

-Matt

Originally Posted by matt_25

Im not a trooper but I believe that the Mass. State Police may add equiptment to their vehicles as they wish.

I never even considered additions after the fact, so I will revise my line of questioning to include any additions.

Virginia State Police does not allow any modifications to your issued car. The only thing by policy that you allowed to install is a scanner or CB (if not already equipped). Satellite radios are in a "gray" area right now by policy, although half my office has them. You also have no choice in what you get assigned. However, after you've been on for a few years and have friends at Division HQ you may have some choice of the color if you are selected for an unmarked car.

I live in WI, and I'm not a trooper, but I work with and know a few of them. I don't believe they have any say in what type of squad they are issued (unmarked, clean top, fully marked), but I know that they can add more lighting on their own dime after the standard emergency equipment package is installed.

-Kenoshacop

The standard issue for CSP out of the academy is a lightbar, 2 rear deck lights and wigwags. Anything after that is at the troopers expense. There are some pretty tricked out light systems on CSP patrol cars...makes it tough to see at night.

-E-Train

Originally Posted by The E-Train

The standard issue for CSP out of the academy is a lightbar, 2 rear deck lights and wigwags. Anything after that is at the troopers expense. There are some pretty tricked out light systems on CSP patrol cars...makes it tough to see at night.

-E-Train

CSP lets us add push-bumpers if we like also.
E-train, are you on the job?

I noticed the Patrol cars in Florida have so many different variations that I would think the Cadets would have some say. Then again if it's coming out of pocket it would also look like the FHP's Troopers have a lot of money to burn. I wonder which one it is.

In Missouri, typically fully marked cars go to troopers, semi marked (no outside lights, but agency markings) go to corporals, and totally unmarked go to Sgt's and above. We get some say about equipment (whether we want a cb, scanner, etc) and there are a few push bars and cages available, but most don't want them.

As far as making a request out of the academy, it would probably be looked down upon. Usually it's best to take what's coming to you for the first couple of years.

A few years back, Texas DPS used to issue slick tops in addition to cars with overhead lights, but not anymore. All marked cars have overheads. As far as additions, Troopers cannot make any, unless they are approved by their Captain. Minor additions like CB's will be approved, but you cannot drill any holes in anything. No problem with satellite radios, because is some parts of Texas, that's the only thing that will work.

Originally Posted by Fin4Life

I noticed the Patrol cars in Florida have so many different variations that I would think the Cadets would have some say. Then again if it's coming out of pocket it would also look like the FHP's Troopers have a lot of money to burn. I wonder which one it is.

FHP is going through a transition with patrol car lights right now. We're presently transitioning from the very old, and useless in my opinion, Vector bar to the L.E.D light bar. The LED is awsome and 10 times brighter than the vector. Reference slick top vs. light bar, it usually depends on weather you're a high activity trooper or not, or on a DUI squad. Cameros are usually given to those who are high activity as well

Originally Posted by nolepatrol

Reference slick top vs. light bar, it usually depends on weather you're a high activity trooper or not, or on a DUI squad. Cameros are usually given to those who are high activity as well

How does a Trooper get assigned a Camaro or a Marauder? Eighteen ain't enough for everybody. Is there a certain number of tickets a Trooper would have to write in order to be classified as "high activity"?

Originally Posted by Fin4Life

Is there a certain number of tickets a Trooper would have to write in order to be classified as "high activity"?

Usually more than your co-workers.

Originally Posted by Fin4Life

How does a Trooper get assigned a Camaro or a Marauder? Eighteen ain't enough for everybody. Is there a certain number of tickets a Trooper would have to write in order to be classified as "high activity"?

Yep, Mo Trooper pretty much hit it on the head. Depending on the area of the state in which you work, the expectations will vary. The more rural the area obviously the less activity there is. Reference the camero/ marauder; the marauders were a gift to the state by an anonymous donator to exclusively be used in metropolitan areas such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando, ect.... . The cameros were issued in '02 for Troopers that were high activity and were deserving. Who is deserving is obviously subjective. Anyway, they do not make the camero anymore, and there hasn't been a replacement for them as of yet.

The FHP Marauders are very nice. Seems like I'm seeing more unmarked crusiers on the Turnpike around Miami (also where I see the most FHP activity anywhere).

I heard from an emergency light distributor that FHP was going to Red and Blue LED vice just Blue. Any truth to this?