The CPD can NOT take much credit for the recent vehicle puchases. The City of Chicago's Fleet Management took over the Electronic and Motor Maintainence division about two years ago. Since then...They (Fleet) have been very aggressive in leading the CPD into the 21st Century with current technology. I would have to say that the only poor choice of that "Fleet" has made so far is the purchase of the Impalas. By the way this is the last year for them and all of the Impalas for this year will not have cages and are intended for supervisors. I'm happy the see the recent purchases of The New Dive truck, The New B.A.T. Mobile, The New Light truck assigned to S.O.S., The New War Wagon, The Tahoes, The Mounted Unit's New Excursions, The Code Three L.E.D. lightbars and interiors light for all new vehicles including unmarked cars. The Bomb Squad just received some new Tahoes (unmarked) and The Tahoes pictured above are issued to each district as beat cars. Thanks Greg for your pictures...and pass the thanks along to Fleet for bringing us into the 21st century!

Hey if I am right, I remember seeing this at the 2005 Taste of Chicago...


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Since we've had this truck in service since 1987, I'm sure you may have.

Greg
CPD and
copcar dot com

Upon a close inspection of this photo, it appears the spotlight has the "Officer Safety" infared light beam attachment. Or is it a camera?

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It's an infrared camera. There is a close up of it in one of the other photos on this page.

Greg

Is this the new graphic design for the Chicago police cars?

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No. CPD has no plan on changing their markings. This is the company's demonstrator truck for the technology corporation that sells license plate automatic identfier cameras. The Tahoe is currently on loan for equipment evaluation purposes. The POLICE lettering and stripes were already on the Tahoe. "CHICAGO" was added as well as a few CPD style decals and vehicle number.

Greg
CPD and
copcar dot com

I cant remember the Dept. buying so many different squads,,Ah I recall the days when i was a young rook and i wanted a car that had the strobes !! now I have a choice of so many lights and cars/suvs !!!!

Many MSP Troop F (Logan Airport Barracks) do have lightbars with a single rear facing red strobe which car be turned on separate for the blue lights. Vehicles not normally assigned to or purchased for use at that Barrack might not have this.

I think that this light bar should reduce wind drag and some of these I have see has a brighter lighting for officer safety then older code 3 bars.

Sharp looking ride there. Just out of curiousity, why are there two different numbers on the car?

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The numbers on the fender are nothing more than the PD's serial number assigned to that particular piece of property- which happens to be a car. The number on the black tag is the beat number (radio call sign). The beat tag can be put on any vehicle depending on what type the officer is driving that day (Ford, Chevy, car, truck or van).

Greg
CPD and
copcar dot com

Throw in the other needed parts and do some serious welding and you could probably put together a few complete cruisers from that lot.

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That's the point of having the spare parts. A squad car that gets in a minor wreck can have a door replaced from this inventory in a day or two instead having the vehicle sent out to a body shop for repairs and repainting, which can take weeks and then it would still have to get new decals applied. With the stacks of doors and fenders with decals on them already, damaged vehicles can be repaired and put back in service much quicker.

Greg
CPD and
copcar dot com

federal law, or state law, there are lots of places that just plain ignore them. besides, chicago, from what i've seen here, is one of the few places that actually follows emergency light laws. here in texas, there are lots of vehicles (volunteer firefighters, security guards, etc.) that drive around with red/blue lights and aren't told anything...

does chicago police have auxiliary? different cars? you see them in NYC all the time.
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No


Greg
CPD and
copcar dot com

interesting note on airports. however, at logan international (boston) MA state police are assigned there (no city cops) and they run all blue lights. unless you count yelow directionals they may be running...are they ignoring the rule?

what happend to the Care O vans(that may not be what they were called) that would cruise the streets for kids ditching school from the early to mid 90's?

I Heard that this vehicle is now scraped can you please tell me what other import vehicles that the Chicago Police is using right now.
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You heard it because I wrote it in the caption. Duh!?

Greg
copcar dot com

Here in OKC, the CSIs drive late model Dodge Quad Cabs, they are fully uniformed OCPD officers and they can and will pull you over if necessary.