Ford collaborated with a company called InterMotive Inc. to develop a new technology that the company is calling “surveillance mode,” which is designed to help reduce the risk of individuals approaching a Ford Police Interceptor from behind the vehicle without the officer being aware. This technology is available for Ford’s 2014 model-year Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility models.

The technology uses existing driver-assist technologies in the Ford Police Interceptor sedan or utility, including a backup camera, cross-traffic alert, and reverse park assist. When an officer activates the system when the vehicle is in park mode, these driver assist systems monitor the area to the rear of the vehicle and alert the officer with a chime and by displaying what’s behind the vehicle on the backup camera display in the cabin. The system also rolls up the windows and locks the vehicle’s doors in order to give an officer inside the vehicle more time to assess a given situation.

The officer in the vehicle can deactivate the system at will, for example in an area with so many pedestrians that the system would be constantly alerting the officer.

The concept is patent-pending and came from Randy Freiburger, Ford police and ambulance fleet supervisor. According to Ford, he spent hours riding with police officers and saw what officers dealt with during routine patrols and investigations.

Ford’s Chris Terry told Government Fleet that the system costs $248.33 as a stand-alone option. It costs $75 when selected as part of a group of other options. He said Ford doesn’t actually make or install the system but that government entities with police vehicles can order the system through Ford. The system can be installed at Crown, which is a facility near Ford’s Chicago Assembly plant, or by area upfitters, according to the automaker.

The video below shows Ford's Freiburger discussing the system.