POLICE VEHICLES NEUTRALIZE COVID

now stands as the only pursuit-rated full-size sedan left in the Police market space.

For 2021, both the sedan and SUV receive a handful of significant updates, and the order banks are now open; however, the two vehicles will have staggered production starts. Both of these vehicles are equipped with new transmissions and high-tech options designed to enhance officer safety, responsiveness, and fuel efficiency.

“Designed and built based on input from our Police Advisory Board and direct officer feedback, the 2021 Dodge Charger and Durango Pursuit deliver on our promise to offer police agencies the most advanced law-enforcement vehicle lineup in the industry, whether as a sedan or a sport-utility vehicle,” said Head of U.S. Sales Jeff Kommor.

Dodge is making the company’s TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic gearbox available to both powertrains it offers in the Charger. Dodge is offering a new V6 with all-wheel drive and the Hemi V8 in a rear-wheel-drive setup. Dodge is somewhat protective when it comes to the specific details of each powertrain, but recent product info suggests that for 2021, the Pentastar is now rated at 300HP compared to 292HP in the 2020 model, and torque is now 264lb-

ft compared to 260lb-ft last year. Dodge does say both powertrains exceed the acceleration, braking, and handling profiles of the previous vehicle. To enhance these powertrains even further, the engineers have also included a new updated and unique ESC tuning calibration that will enhance the performance of the Charger and Durango Pursuit.

Every Law Enforcement Fleet Manager knows the real test of these changes will be when MSP and LASD put all three OEM police vehicles through their annual vehicle testing in September and October.

Other new standard features include a top speed setting of 140 mph with the ability for Fleet Managers to con gure and limit top speed for speci c agency needs, electric power steering, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 5,500 pounds to accommodate additional payload.

2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit

The 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit will offer more than 20 new standard features. The AWD Durango Pursuit is powered by the standard 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine or the optional legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, both mated to the TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission. Same as the Charger, the engineers have also included a new updated and unique “police” ESC tuning calibration that will enhance the performance of the Durango.

Other notable improvements include an IP-mounted shift lever to free up valuable space in the center console area. This is a very big deal, because not having the shifter on the steering column was a showstopper for some agencies, which forced them to consider one of the other pursuit-rated SUVs. This move also allows agencies to transfer equipment from one vehicle to another as the older Durangos required a unique center console that had to be specially made to allow space for the shifter, but not anymore.

In keeping with tradition, the Durango Pursuit has the black steel wheels

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with chrome center caps, steering wheel-mounted programmable auxiliary switches, and police-specific front seats to accommodate duty belts and enable easier access to seat-belt latch points. “These features, such as the new IPmounted shift lever, free up valuable space between the front seats to accommodate the police aftermarket equipment needed for the officers to accomplish their jobs,” Kommor said. Other key features now being offered are the upfit-friendly Vehicle Systems Interface Module, which allows much simpler and faster connectivity to OEM electrical systems for customizing policeonly features such as lighting and battery protection, and safety features. The vehicle systems interface module features a radio mute input, pulse-width modulation vehicle speed output, reverse position output, and drive position output.

The heavy-duty BR9 brake package is a must with the Durango Pursuit along with standard vinyl flooring and a trizone climate control system designed with K-9 units in mind. The Durango Pursuit has a top speed setting of 130 mph with the ability for customers to configure and limit for specific agency needs. Agencies that wish to deploy unmarked units will have several new color options available as well.

For agencies that prefer the “ Fleet Key Alike,” this feature is available on both the 2021 Charger and Durango Pursuit and is compatible between both models.

As for OEM multimedia systems, arguably one of the best on the market is the available Uconnect ® 12.1-inch touchscreen, which allows integration of law enforcement systems while relocating the agency computer to the trunk for optimal space savings. It is designed to be operated with gloves and in extreme temperatures while maintaining unrestricted access to vehicle controls.

Production of the 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit starts in the first quarter of 2021 at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The Dodge Police Program will still have the Ram 1500 SSV for 2021. It is a carryover with no changes, but for 2021, they will also offer a Ram HD SSV package as well.

General Motors Chevrolet

For 2021, the GM Police and Law Enforcement lineup includes the pursuit-rated Tahoe PPV, Tahoe SSV, and Silverado SSV.

After the release of the all-new 2021 retail Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade lineup, the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) remains the only pursuit-rated body on frame Police SUV still on the market since the competition no longer uses body on frame. Available in either 2WD or 4WD, the Tahoe PPV has an entire host of safety features like Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Emergency Braking. e 2021 Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle has been engineered and built to meet the extensive needs of today’s law enforcement community. Using the redesigned retail 2021 Chevy Tahoe as its foundation, Tahoe PPV features all the performance of its predecessor, with a smooth ride, greater interior space, larger load capacity ( GVWR), and new towing technology. e big news is a new independent rear suspension, which promises improvements in ride quality and handling.

e Tahoe PPV model will come with standard Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires, pursuit-rated all-season tires that GM developed alongside Firestone, and a heavy-duty braking system with Brembo six-piston front calipers and 16-inch rotors. A heavy-duty rear di erential and lower, more sti y sprung suspension complete the pursuit-focused performance add-ons.

Inside, an ergonomic design tailored to o cers makes entry and exit easier while the police-speci c seats are contoured to accommodate duty belts. Plus, extensive electrical architecture featuring updated wiring harnesses simpli es up tting in both the front row and cargo areas. To power onboard electronics, both the Tahoe PPV and SSV will come with a 760-amp auxiliary battery and a new high-output alternator that is 47 percent more powerful than the one found in the 2020 model.

Available second-row seat delete reduces cost, while officers will have improved situational awareness with greater views thanks to larger dimensions and a higher roofline. Increased trailering capacity up to 6,000 pounds for 2WD and optional 4WD to help eliminate the need for a dedicated towing vehicle. The Tahoe remains one of the most popular SUVs for K9 units, and the improved ergonomics that will help officers get in and out of the vehicle quickly will be especially beneficial for K9 officers. Specifically useful for K9, the rear door openings are 3.5 inches wider than the previous generation to make K9 deployments faster and safer but will also assist with the loading of suspects who may not be as cooperative as they should be.

The Tahoe SSV is not pursuit-rated but is one of the few 4X4 Special Service Vehicles with available Off Road Suspension Package and Off Road tires. It carries a maximum payload of 1,670 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds. These units are typically used for agencies that deploy in rural areas where pursuits are usually never on a paved surface and the ability to overcome difficult terrain is paramount to the deployment, more so than top speed and racetracklike handling.

The Silverado SSV is GM’s Police pickup and while not pursuit-rated like its Ford counterpart, it is a very rugged alternative for Law Enforcement. e Silverado SSV carries the honor to be the only Police pickup that comes with factory-installed, warrantied spot lamps and available wiring provisions agency install. e steel body architecture and bed with hinged aluminum doors and hood o er the best combination of durability and fuel economy.

Both the general-purpose Tahoe PPV and o -road-focused Tahoe SSV are powered by GM’s 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 and 10speed automatic transmission. e engine in the PPV model bene ts from LT4 V8 rocker covers, which improve crankcase ventilation, along with a heavy-duty oil cooling system developed speci cally for Law Enforcement applications.

Sergeant Brad Brewer is a 30-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. He was an eightyear member of the Ford Police Advisory Board and regularly gives presentations at law enforcement conferences on mobile computing, wireless technology and police vehicle ergonomics. He can be reached at sgt1411@gmail.com.