CSPD unveils new patrol cars: What do you think?
Posted: 01.28.2013 at 9:48 PM
Updated: 01.29.2013 at 8:30 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A new look for Colorado Springs Police as the department unveiled its new and improved patrol cars.

The 2012 Dodge Chargers are a big change for CSPD, whose officers drove the Ford Crown Victoria for years.

Along with the new make and model, Spings Police also have new graphics.

A traditional black and white logo that is much different from the department's standard blue.

"We have a lot of vehicles that are aging, that have a log of mileage, so we needed to replace some of our patrol fleet vehicles," Lt. Brain Ritz with the Specialized Enforcement Division said. "It is a big change for the city to look at, they (citizens) are used to seeing white cars with blue stripes."

Of course the outside is cool to look at, but it is what is inside that counts."

"Suspension might be altered, a little heavier suspension, also probably has a little heavier alternator in it to run all of our electronics," Lt. Ritz said.

So what about dollars and cents?

Where did the money come from to pay for the new police cruisers?

"At the beginning of 2012 the mayor freed up some money to purchase some replacement vehicles for the police department," Lt. Ritz said.

In total he said the CSPD received enough money in 2012 to purchase 25 new Dodge Chargers and eight Dodge Durangos, many of which are already out patrolling the streets.

"I have been stopped by people who say 'Is that what we are going to? We really love the look of the new cars,'" Lt. Ritz said.