Some Suburban Police Are Turning To Dodge Chargers

Several suburban police departments are turning to the Dodge Charger Pursuit, which is made by Chrysler, as their next-generation cruiser. The popular Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was discontinued last year.

In Lake County, IL, Chargers are slowly replacing a fleet of aging Crown Victorias and Chevrolet Impalas. Twelve Chargers already are on the road, and twenty more are awaiting in-car video systems before joining the motor pool, Sheriff's Police Chief Wayne Hunter said. Eight more will be delivered over the next two years for a total of forty. Illinois State Police troopers drive them as well.

Hunter is a fan of the Charger — and the positive reaction from the public is a factor. "No matter where they go, people stop (the deputies) and compliment them on their cars," Hunter said. "For me, you can't put money on that."

In a process that began last year, sheriff's administrators settled on the Dodge after deputies tested it and patrol cars based on three other models: the Chevrolet Impala, the Chevrolet Caprice, and the Ford Taurus. Chrysler started making a version of the Charger specifically for police in 2006. It began marketing the vehicle as the Charger Pursuit in 2011. Chrysler won't disclose sales figures for the Charger Pursuit.

Even though it's a four-door car like traditional police cruisers, the Charger looks more like a 1970s muscle car than a family sedan. The front and rear windshields both are sloped greater than those on the Crown Victoria, and the front end has more bulk than a traditional sedan. "I think they look good," said Palatine, IL Police Commander Mike Seebacher, whose department has three Charger squad cars. "It's different yet professional looking."

The Charger performs like a muscle car, too. A V-6 engine provides 292 horsepower; an alternate Hemi V-8 engine provides a whopping 370 horsepower and even greater road speed. The Wheaton Police Department has three Charger Pursuits with V-6 engines in their fleet. Deputy Chief Thomas Meloni said the cars handle the road well and are roomy enough for officers and all their gear.

Last fall, a Charger Pursuit V-8 recorded the fastest lap time in the history of the annual Michigan State Police vehicle tests.

The Charger isn't without problems. Earlier this year, Chrysler recalled nearly 10,000 Charger police specials because of headlight-failure concerns. The recall also covered a different problem the company said could lead to a loss of the vehicle's anti-lock braking and stability control systems. Consumer models of the Charger made in 2011 and this year have been recalled, too.

Hunter isn't too worried about the recalls. "It sounds like those problems have been solved," he said. "We're confident with the warranty we've got. And we're hopeful that as time goes on, Dodge works those bugs out."

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