Virginia Sheriff's Office opts for Black and White Design

Patrol vehicles for the Botetourt County, Virginia, Sheriff's Office have an updated look. The department is utilizing a black and white color scheme. The new patrol fleet will feature printed reflective vinyl for a highly visible professional and modern image, according to a press release.

The traditional black and white color scheme on patrol vehicles is a widely recognized symbol of law enforcement, making it easily recognizable to the public as a police vehicle, the press release said. Dep. David Moyer, traffic safety program manager, wrote that the presence of patrol vehicles in an area has proven effective in reducing crime and traffic incidents, which is why the Sheriff's Office still mostly uses marked vehicles.

“Like any other business or company, we want to portray a professional and modern image," said Sheriff Matt Ward. “The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is an accredited agency that serves an incredibly supportive community and strives to meet the expectations of those we serve. We want those services to be highly visible."

The Sheriff’s Office began introducing the new Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles with the new black and white paint scheme beginning in April. The department switched to the SUVs as OEMs focus on fewer sedan models for police vehicles. The new design is being phased in as older patrol vehicles are replaced and rotated out of service during yearly vehicle acquisitions.

Members of the department collaborated on the look, design, and style of the new patrol vehicles. The new design is also budget friendly, with a cost savings of approximately $300 per vehicle, according to the press release.