What Makes A Police Car Cost $120k ?

[csv8]

They come boldly advertised, as well as unmarked; lurking on the state’s major arterial roads and highways. The mere sight of one can make drivers’ hearts skip a beat.

But at $120,000 a pop in taxpayer funding, what kind of equipment is being fitted to the NSW Police Force’s highway patrol cars?

Police are continuing their search for a man who stole a fully marked, turquoise-blue example from officers at the weekend, after locating the stolen vehicle in Sydney’s north-west on Sunday night.

Officers allege that, following an altercation, Arthur Partsch, 33, fled from police in the stolen Holden Commodore SS just before noon on Sunday.
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‘‘The car, including the equipment, is worth about $120,000,’’ Acting Superintendent Mark Cook, of the Highway Patrol Command, told reporters on Sunday.

Drive has obtained a rundown of the equipment, which police say validates the hefty price tag.

The automatic version of Holden’s base-model SS Commodore retails at $49,790, plus dealer and on-road charges, but fleets and government departments typically get generous discounts.

The police models are slightly modified on Holden’s production line in South Australia, but use the same 6.0-litre V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, suspension and wheels as the regular Commodore SS available to the public.

Police spokesman Derek Nelson said the extra cost stemmed from the list of equipment fitted in each highway patrol car.

‘‘When you consider the length of items that are in these cars, the price adds up pretty quickly,’’ he said.

Equipment used in police cars includes:

- Automatic number-plate recognition technology. Three cameras mounted on the car’s roof link to a computer running optical recognition software and a database of stolen, unregistered or suspect vehicles, which sounds an alarm every time it finds a match. The equipment can scan and check up to six plates a second. The data is linked to a laptop computer and mobile data terminal fitted in each vehicle.

- In-car video cameras ensure each road-user infringement is documented, and footage can be used as evidence in court if required.

- Radio communication equipment.

- Fixed and hand-held speed check devices (LIDAR and RADAR).

- Random breath-testing equipment.

- Bulletproof vest, baton, torch and fluorescent safety vest.

- Lights and sirens.

- Traffic cones.

- Vehicle signage.

- A-frame safety triangles.

- Fire extinguisher.

- First-aid equipment.

Police wouldn’t provide an exact cost rundown of each item. The NSW Police Force has plans to spend another $20,000 on each patrol car.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing into whether any components of the stolen police Commodore SS were damaged or removed during Sunday’s theft.
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...128-2dgcd.html

[2011G6E]

No surprise there...cop cars have always been loaded with gear and worth way more than a standard car of the same type.

[Neale]

They have loads of gear, plus the labour cost of installing it would cost a fair bit.

In saying that after the cars have reached their used by date alot of the gear will be transfered into a new car. So while some may cost $120,000 if the next car can re-use the gear, im sure it will not cost as much.

[foxtrot3]

Originally Posted by Neale

They have loads of gear, plus the labour cost of installing it would cost a fair bit.

In saying that after the cars have reached their used by date alot of the gear will be transfered into a new car. So while some may cost $120,000 if the next car can re-use the gear, im sure it will not cost as much.

Hi. Change over time is when the new technology is introduced to the fleets, its not often they pull a car off the road to fit new gear on a car that will be replaced in 6 to 12 months. What this means is old style roof lights, radios, mobile data systems are updated with the new cars and the old stuff trashed.This is why the police historic societies have lots of problems getting the right radios and things for their cars. Cheers MD

[Neale]

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

Hi. Change over time is when the new technology is introduced to the fleets, its not often they pull a car off the road to fit new gear on a car that will be replaced in 6 to 12 months. What this means is old style roof lights, radios, mobile data systems are updated with the new cars and the old stuff trashed.This is why the police historic societies have lots of problems getting the right radios and things for their cars. Cheers MD

It does make sence that that the would update some of the systems at change over, but I'm sure there would be some stuff that gets re used, especially considering the amount of cars that get written off & it doesnt take them long to rack up the Kms.

Heres a pic of inside a NSW HWP commodore to give an idea on whats inside. There is also a secondary computer & more gear including a second battery in the boot

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Neale

It does make sence that that the would update some of the systems at change over, but I'm sure there would be some stuff that gets re used, especially considering the amount of cars that get written off & it doesnt take them long to rack up the Kms.

Heres a pic of inside a NSW HWP commodore to give an idea on whats inside. There is also a secondary computer & more gear including a second battery in the boot

image

and we get fined for having the GPS in the wrong place or dice hanging of the rear view mirror !!!!!!!!!!!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Neale

They have loads of gear,

One of the things that struck me coming back to Australia from a stint in Europe is the over-the-top, paramilitary nature of the highway patrols here. The police in VWs and Skodas in Europe have nothing on them, yet do exactly the same job, but not in such a nannyista, intrusive, intimidating manner. In fact they pretty much leave everyone alone (except truck drivers!) unless you do something really gross.

Somebody in the police here obviously gets their rocks off outfitting these exhibitionist boystoys, urged on by a political agenda of intimidation and nannying. I don't think I can recall a country I've so little enjoyed driving in when I'm not actually doing anything wrong. You spend so much time watching out for the darn things you can't fully concentrate on driving.

It's gone too far and at taxpayers expense of course. If the whole circus of intimidation and revenue-raising was reeled in, maybe the cars wouldn't need to cost anywhere near as much.

[Chrisosicko]

And u wonder why speeding fines are so high

[sneaky]

Got to pay for the cop chip, cop tyres, cop brakes, cop suspension, etc

[sbutler]

Originally Posted by sneaky

Got to pay for the cop chip, cop tyres, cop brakes, cop suspension, etc

You forgot cop shocks & the 440 cubic inch..

[lockieoc]

Just the tools of the trade, as Neale mentioned all of the gear gets carried over to the next car anyway so every car doesn't cost 120k.
If these tools makes it easier to catch the real crooks (car thiefs, un rego'd cars etc) out on the road than I have no problems.

[ltd]

Whilst the engine outputs are the same now, there are definite upgrades to Brembo brakes, F6 wheels, tranny coolers etc.
Not to mention that the 120K quoted is the replacement cost if say a car is stolen (not recovered) or destroyed, and all those items have to be bought again. As lockieoc mentions above, these items are transferred to the next car anyway.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Don't forget alot of that gear gets transferred between many cars in its life... they don't just throw it away when the cars finished at 60,000 kms.

I see cops get out of cars all the time at the shops and leave them unlocked while they get their maccas or subway... If I leave my car unlocked its an offense...

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Don't forget alot of that gear gets transferred between many cars in its life... they don't just throw it away when the cars finished at 60,000 kms.

I see cops get out of cars all the time at the shops and leave them unlocked while they get their maccas or subway... If I leave my car unlocked its an offense...

Yeah but who would dare to steal a cop car? Oh wait...

[2011G6E]

Always has been an offence. Not to mention (in QLD at least) it's illegal to leave your car without the handbrake on...

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

I see cops get out of cars all the time at the shops and leave them unlocked while they get their maccas or subway... If I leave my car unlocked its an offense...

I don’t think it is an offense, just not wise. But funny you mention this. A NSW police man did just that on the weekend & the car was stolen!! The crime even crashed into another cop car that needed towing back home as well!!

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I don’t think it is an offense, just not wise. But funny you mention this. A NSW police man did just that on the weekend & the car was stolen!! The crime even crashed into another cop car that needed towing back home as well!!

No it is an offence, from memory, $120 and 0 points

[BJB]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I don’t think it is an offense, just not wise. But funny you mention this. A NSW police man did just that on the weekend & the car was stolen!! The crime even crashed into another cop car that needed towing back home as well!!

The reason the cars are often left unlocked with motors running is that the span lights, computer, MMR , radio chew up the batteries very quickly and the car needs the alternator operating in order to keep the batteries charging. That is why in recent times the police cars have had twin batteries fitted due to the high demand on the electrical system , one to run the car, the other to run the accessories.

[The Monty]

Originally Posted by BJB

The reason the cars are often left unlocked with motors running is that the span lights, computer, MMR , radio chew up the batteries very quickly and the car needs the alternator operating in order to keep the batteries charging. That is why in recent times the police cars have had twin batteries fitted due to the high demand on the electrical system , one to run the car, the other to run the accessories.

Plus even if it is unlocked, the Queensland cars have an "Anti-theft" thing, so as soon as it clicks into a gear, it shuts down.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by BJB

The reason the cars are often left unlocked with motors running is that the span lights, computer, MMR , radio chew up the batteries very quickly and the car needs the alternator operating in order to keep the batteries charging. That is why in recent times the police cars have had twin batteries fitted due to the high demand on the electrical system , one to run the car, the other to run the accessories.

That makes sense to me.

We often leave ambulances running as scene lights, emergency beacons, radio, MDT and other ancillary devices will kill a battery in under 30 mins (we are often on scene for 30 mins stabilising the patient) and that is with twin batteries. Of course we avoid this when we can and lock the vehicle when there is no need to keep the engine running.

On the older Mercs we had idle hold which meant we could leave the engine running and lock the vehicle. Now with the new electronic plug in keys in the new mercs you can not do that so you have to leave the key in the vehicle to leave the engine running.

Any car should be able to be left unlocked, particularly police, ambulance and fire vehicles. Lets not forget it is the thieves that are in the wrong here.

[BJB]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Don't forget alot of that gear gets transferred between many cars in its life... they don't just throw it away when the cars finished at 60,000 kms.

I see cops get out of cars all the time at the shops and leave them unlocked while they get their maccas or subway... If I leave my car unlocked its an offense...

What state is that law enacted.

In Vic it is an offence to leave your car unattended with the keys in it..or if you walk away from it ( being more than 3 metres from the car)

[poppa smurf]

I was yakking with a road patrol officer just the other day next to his vehicle, glancing through the drivers side window I was shocked at just how many gizmo's and doo-hickeys they have in these things

[Franco Cozzo]

Victorian Ambulance is around $250,000 so a police car is cheap.

The prison vans we built for G4S come in at around $400-$500,000 each, to carry prisoners.

[MercurySilver]

errr
if you leave your car unlocked its an offense?

WTF?

[Bundy]

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

errr
if you leave your car unlocked its an offense?

WTF?

always has been

[bigsta]

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

errr
if you leave your car unlocked its an offense?

WTF?

That is a load of crap, seriously what sort of farkin nanny state are we living in.

was at the bottelo the other day and a guy who left his windows down got nabbed by the rangers from wavery council for just this while he was inside for 2 mins getting a case. $100 fine thank you.

Biggest load of ***** i have ever seen and i am outraged.

[BJB]

Originally Posted by bigsta

That is a load of crap, seriously what sort of farkin nanny state are we living in.

was at the bottelo the other day and a guy who left his windows down got nabbed by the rangers from wavery council for just this while he was inside for 2 mins getting a case. $100 fine thank you.

Biggest load of ***** i have ever seen and i am outraged.

Vic has it also, if you are more than 3 metres away from the unlocked car. It has been in the statute books for years. If you are outraged send a letter to your local MP.

[aussie muscle]

I'd guess the software to run their computers is expensive and probably licensed on a per car basis. not that computer software people charge a lot for their licensing, nor do they gouge on government contracts...

Did anyone see the 'worlds worst police videos' type show were police (usa) left a criminal in the back seat, he got out and stole their cruiser...still cuffed.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Im surprised more cop cars don't walk...

If most of my customers were criminals i know I wouldn't leave anything laying around with the keys in it... LOL.

[GTP-RPD]

Honestly in this day and age I would put them in Toyota Prius'.