EDMONTON, ALBERTA - The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has been test driving new police vehicles in search of a suitable replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria Police Inceptor vehicle. The Police Service expects to have 10 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles and 20 Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedans integrated into patrol operations by the end of 2012 for testing, according to a release from the EPS.

The new Fords are equipped with a number of features that will be new to the EPS fleet, such as back-up sensors, traction control, and a low frequency siren.

The ultrasonic reverse sensors activate when the vehicle is backing up towards a detectable obstacle. These two Fords are all-wheel drive. These two new vehicles also have better traction control than the Crown Victorias, which will perform better in Edmonton’s winter driving conditions, according to the release.

An equipped low frequency siren with will alerts drivers as a police vehicle is approaching. This special siren carries a longer and louder sound that can penetrate through vehicles, even when their car sound system is turned on. This siren will be used for police procedures, such as clearing traffic.

“Police cars have a life span of about five years,” said Const. Scott Anthony with the Training Unit. “The average age of the fleet is just over 2 years so many of our Crown Vics will be phasing out in the next few years.”

In July 2011, the EPS began testing 10 Dodge Chargers. Noreen Remtulla, spokesperson for the EPS, stated in an e-mail that the Chargers will remain in the fleet and "we will continue to receive feedback [about] both the Charger and the new Fords from front line members."

The EPS operates approximately 300 marked patrol vehicles, and nearly all the marked sedans are Crown Victorias, according to Remtulla.

Updated with photos and additional comments 10/15/12 at 2:10pm