It seems the current patrol cars used by North Bay police to stop traffic offenders and respond to more serious crimes are not quite good enough. The North Bay Police Service says it has moved some of its old Crown Victoria vehicles and replaced them with a Ford Interceptor Sedan, which is a bit smaller and apparently too small for cops and even prisoners in the back.
So, the North Bay Police Service is looking to switch to something a bit bigger, and has been showing off its (definitely big enough) brand new Ford Explorer all-wheel patrol vehicles.
“We have met with the Police Association and the reality of it is, the patrol vehicle is the office for front line officers, often spending 12 hours in those vehicles,” said Chief Devine to the media after showing both the Board members the size difference between an SUV to the smaller Interceptor.
“Obviously it gave the board an opportunity to look at the interior space that was both available for the officers and for loading and unloading prisoners in the back of the vehicle. I think if you have a look at the comparison between the back seat of this and the back seat of an Explorer, I would suggest there is almost twice as much room in the back to be able to load and unload prisoners.”
Devine insists that the bigger choice is really not about comfort, but more about how the vehicles offer more space and can also travel to more inaccessible terrain.
“Once you look at the police vehicle and you look at the package that is in there, there’s a cage with bars in the back which limits the amount of space the seat is able to go back so when you factor in even someone my size – I don’t get into the cruisers that much anymore, but at 6’5” it’s really restrictive and I think we have to recognize that generally the population is growing and we have larger statured people that we are transporting and we have to recognize that.”
“You have to remember when officers are out there, they are not just wearing personal dress, they are also wearing about 70 pounds of equipment,” said Devine.