RISP add new cruisers to fleet

NORTH SCITUATE, R.I. (WPRI) – It’s out with the old and in with the new for the Rhode Island State Police.

The state police have begun to upgrade their fleet of aging Ford crown victoria models with new Chevy caprice models.

“The early reviews from the road are the performance is unparalleled to what they were driving before,” said Lt. Michael Gill, RISP Fleet Administrator.

In 2011, Ford Motor Co. stopped making “crown vics”, as they’re often referred to as.

“It’s been our workhorse for about 20 years now, so we were forced to come up with a new vehicle,” Lt. Gill said.

After six months of research and testing, state police chose the 2012 Chevy caprice over the Dodge charger and Ford’s replacement for the crown vic, the Ford interceptor.

“Instructors were highly impressed with this vehicle; this is what we decided to go with based on a number of factors, safety, comfort and performance.”

Of the vehicles they tested, the caprice scored first for size and braking. 

When it comes to acceleration, it leaves the old cars in the dust.

“If the trooper is at a standstill and somebody goes by them at 95 miles per hour, to accelerate and catch up quickly will generally diffuse things very quickly.”

Another added bonus?  The caprice has 10 airbags instead of 2 in the old cruisers.

“Many things to keep the troopers safe which in the end is the most important thing to us.”

The old crown victorias are expected to be phased out over the next few years.

Rhode Island State Police will fully implement their new line of 20 cruisers over the course of the next month.

Some are already on the roads.