PD Patrol Vehicle Rebrand Brings Multiple Benefits

The Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau is updating its patrol vehicle color scheme and decal design. The last change to the bureau's patrol vehicle design was made in 2011.

From Blue to Black

The bureau primarily uses the Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle. Ford Motor Company is no longer producing the dark blue color that served as the base for the current fleet of vehicles. New additions to the fleet will now be black.

Additionally, the bureau is discontinuing the white wrap that was featured on the doors of the previous design. The wrapping material did not hold up well to the rigors of police work, and tended to get scuffed easily, according to a press release from the city. Foregoing the white wrap will also lead to savings.

Decal Design Details

The decal design is consistent with the current design. On the doors are the words "PORTLAND POLICE" and below them is the slogan "Sworn to protect. Dedicated to serve" in all white text. A red rose is featured between the words "Protect" and "Dedicated" to symbolize the department's service to the Rose City. The slogan, "Sworn to Protect, Dedicated to Serve" was coined by a Portland Police Officer in the mid-1980s and was previously on Portland Police cars in the late-1980s and early 1990s.

The new vehicles will also feature badge decals with the names of Portland police officers who were killed in the line a duty.

Push Bumper Upgrade

The new design will feature improved equipment, including a stronger type of protective bumper on the front. The previous bumper was frequently damaged and required repair or replacement, which required a vehicle to  go out of service.

Lighting Changes

The new vehicles also have enhanced lighting and sirens. The new LED design will adapt to the ambient light, making the lights brighter and more visible during the day and dimmer and less blinding during the hours of darkness. The lights will also sync to the atomic clock radio signal, which will limit the chaotic strobing that tends to happen when multiple officers’ vehicles are working in a single location. As more vehicles with this feature are added to the fleet, the light bars will flash in unison.

The new design also features a new, lower-profile locking cargo box allowing more room for officers to transport their gear and property.

The Portland Police Bureau is in possession of 66 new vehicles — 43 officer vehicles and 23 vehicles for supervisors — with these changes; they are in various stages of being outfitted and deployed to precincts.

The first vehicles hit the streets of Portland in mid-March; more will be added in batches of between five and 10 vehicles per week for the next eight weeks.

The bureau has ordered 78 additional Ford PIU hybrid vehicles and they are currently in production.

The fuel-electric hybrid technology will allow for fuel cost savings and lower emissions. On-board electrical equipment like emergency lights, radios, and computers can be powered using the lithium-ion hybrid battery, allowing the gasoline engine to shut off – running only intermittently to charge the battery.

Getting Social

On the rear quarter-panel is the official Twitter handle of the Portland Police Bureau, "@portlandpolice". It's addition on the vehicle is designed to encourage people to follow the bureau on Twitter and other social media channels for updates, crime information, and to engage with people in the social media community.