While i'm at it i might as well ask another silly question.
While i'm at it i might as well ask another silly question.
Author
Discussion

EL77

Original Poster:

622 posts

243 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Are the police force becoming picky?

you don't see many Ford's, Rover's or vauxhall's etc dressed up anymore do you.

the south west plod have taken quite a liking to 3 and 5 series BMW's and also the X5, why is this?

Their company car list als fetures a selection of Lexus and Mercedes models.

althought it maybe nice for them to enjoy the creature comforts of these excutive cars wouldn't it demonstrate more commitment to TAX payers to show they can save money and lower their standards!?!?!

i say put them back in mondeos!!!!!

p.s this post was due to the fact that i'm sure 3 series touring was chasing me this evening and got a bit to close to comfort before i shot of a little side exit and hid, wouldn't have got close in a ford!!!!

BonzoGuinness

1,554 posts

245 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
It's not like the Police are paying full-whack for their vehicles. BMW/Merc/etc might just offer a more attractive or heavily discounted package. Being used by trafpols is probably one of the best adverts a manufacturer could have as a testament to reliability, ergo they practically give them away. The Police I'm sure are forced to deal with beancounters too, so it's not in their benefit to choose the most expensive option if they don't genuinely need it. Anything particularly flashy (I'm thinking Porker, Evo?) might even be a proceeds of crime seizure? Also factor in that the likes of Vauxhall no longer make the Omega - the nearest RWD equivelant suited to traffic use is probably a BMW anyway.

Personally I'd prefer that the Police had the best possible equipment available to them when they need it...

Edited by BonzoGuinness on Saturday 4th August 05:17

wolf1

3,103 posts

281 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
plenty of the usual volvos in north wales. They also have focus and mondeo ST's.

TheCarpetCleaner

7,294 posts

233 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Saw an undercover 06 Vectra in Reading the other day

Chrispy Porker

17,740 posts

259 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Not that far undercover then.

alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
Not that far undercover then.
Maybe he was on his way here...

TheCarpetCleaner

7,294 posts

233 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
No hehe

The extra aerial, the extra rear view mirror and 2 coppers getting out the vehicle with handcuffed suspect somewhat gave it away!

alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
TheCarpetCleaner said:
No hehe

The extra aerial, the extra rear view mirror and 2 coppers getting out the vehicle with handcuffed suspect somewhat gave it away!
Dark epaulets on a white shirt quite often a giveaway as well in the rear view mirror if there's one behind.

I remember when the police used to drive British cars. Getting a bit difficult these days... frown

Sgt Bilko

1,929 posts

246 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Resale value is also taken into account if the force buys their fleet.

7db

6,060 posts

261 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
alphadog said:
I remember when the police used to drive British cars. Getting a bit difficult these days... frown
I'm sure that Caterham would oblige with a jam sandwich paintjob...

Chrispy Porker

17,740 posts

259 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
alphadog said:
TheCarpetCleaner said:
No hehe

The extra aerial, the extra rear view mirror and 2 coppers getting out the vehicle with handcuffed suspect somewhat gave it away!
Dark epaulets on a white shirt quite often a giveaway as well in the rear view mirror if there's one behind.

I remember when the police used to drive British cars. Getting a bit difficult these days... frown
You may spot uniformed officers in a plain car easily enough.
I guess you would not spot the robbery squad wink

Jasandjules

72,666 posts

260 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Chrispy Porker said:
I guess you would not spot the robbery squad wink
Oh that's easy, they have the little hairdyers pointing at you....biggrin



alphadog

2,049 posts

264 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
Chrispy Porker said:
I guess you would not spot the robbery squad wink
Oh that's easy, they have the little hairdyers pointing at you....biggrin
rofl

J500ANT

3,103 posts

270 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
alphadog said:
Dark epaulets on a white shirt quite often a giveaway as well in the rear view mirror if there's one behind.
As is a glowing display on the new style police radio, attached to the seatbelt and in full view of the windscreen, in a dark grey BMW X5

Ravell

1,181 posts

243 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Strathclyde police seem to use a lot of Ford Focus estates...

Deva Link

26,934 posts

276 months

Saturday 4th August 2007
quotequote all
Metropolitan Police officers have been complained about their Vectras - they want 5 Series BMW's back!

J500ANT

3,103 posts

270 months

thehappyotter

800 posts

233 months

Sunday 5th August 2007
quotequote all
I've heard it rumoured amongst the lads that we pay in the region of 12 grand for a V70. In the handbooks it says 'V70 T5 Police Spec' or something similar. They have uprated brakes and a sump guard but are total bottom of the line in everything trim and extras wise.

The Focus doesn't cost anywhere near that much, we got out last batch of old shape estates super cheap as nobody else wants one in white and the line was finishing.

I would dare to suggest that the prolific use of Volvos in the police has done a massive amount for their reputation. Especially amongst the young.

The amount of times we roll up to a job and the local youths say something along the lines of "Nah man, a T5. Wicked innit bredgrin" would suprise you...

Parrot of Doom

23,075 posts

265 months

Sunday 5th August 2007
quotequote all
I'm quite happy to see the police driving around in the very best cars they can get. I don't see why anyone should be saving money in this way.

J500ANT

3,103 posts

270 months

Sunday 5th August 2007
quotequote all
Parrot of Doom said:
I'm quite happy to see the police driving around in the very best cars they can get.
You mean the best vehicle for the job? wink