Glen Rock, NJ Police Chief Makes Request To Replenish Fleet

The Glen Rock, NJ Police Department (GRPD) is seeking approval to pursue a new deal offered by its fleet supplier to replace several aging vehicles. At a September 12 work session, Police Chief Frederick Stahman asked the Borough Council to extend its annual $48,000 purchasing allocation to permit a new three-year financing proposal from its state-authorized fleet supplier, Winner Ford of Cherry Hill, NJ.

Under the plan proposed by Winner, police could immediately acquire five new police cars in a three-year agreement at $48,000 per year. Previously, the department has purchased a maximum of two new vehicles each year based on the same allocation. Stahman said that if accepted, the arrangement would then be revisited with the dealer at the end of the three years with turn-in, trade-up, and other options available.

Details of the plan were outlined by a dealer representative at a recent meeting with Stahman, GRPD Capt. Jon Miller, Borough Administrator Lenora Benjamin, and Assistant Financial Officer Kelly McCormick. The representative said the program was created specifically to address municipal budget constraints and provide the capability to refresh fleets with a somewhat lower initial outlay.

Three patrol cars currently on the road should be replaced, Stahman said, along with a detective bureau car that is a 2003 model.

While awaiting the availability of the new 2012 Ford Police Interceptor — all-wheel drive sedans replacing the venerable Crown Victoria line now discontinued — the department would first use the program to purchase three new Chevrolet Caprices for patrol use. The Caprice is a recent "reintroduction" designed for police use only and built in Europe.

In addition, Glen Rock would buy two less expensive Chevrolet Impala police package units as "administrative" cars replacing the current chief's and captain's vehicles.

"The Impalas are police-equipped, but have smaller V-6 engines and fewer bells and whistles, which is adequate for our use," Stahman said. The cars would not normally be used for patrol or pursuit duty. His own current vehicle would then replace the 2003 detective's car.

"Starting with three Caprice patrol vehicles instead of five allows us to also replace the administrative and detective cars with the two Impalas, and will enable us to find out if the new Caprices prove reliable," Stahman said.

The department would then have the option later of replacing the next group of retired patrol/pursuit cars with the 2012 Fords if desired.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
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