N.J. State Police Using 'Ghost Car' for Traffic Enforcement
The New Jersey State Police will begin using a black Chevrolet Caprice with a frosted logo known as a "ghost car" to allow officers to better catch traffic scofflaws without standing out.
by Staff
May 26, 2015
Photo via New Jersey State Police/Facebook.
1 min to read
Photo via New Jersey State Police/Facebook.
The New Jersey State Police will begin using a black Chevrolet Caprice with a frosted logo known as a "ghost car" to allow officers to better catch traffic scofflaws without standing out.
State Police Capt. Stephen Jones told NJ.com that unmarked cars have been a part of the police fleet for years. The agency has updated the graphics. The majority of patrol vehicles are marked.
Ad Loading...
Following negative comments on Facebook about the vehicle, Captain Jones defended the vehicle, writing, “Some people think we are wrong for using unmarked cars because it’s tantamount to entrapment. I don’t agree with this logic. In no way do unmarked cars prompt people to drive worse; they only allow our troopers to observe them driving dangerously when they believe law enforcement is not there.”
Many law enforcement agencies use unmarked cars or subtle graphics to catch drunk drivers and speeders. As one example, the Houston Police Department added 10 unmarked Chevrolet Camaro cars to its Traffic Enforcement Division in 2013. Officers refer to the cars as "ghosts" because of the white-shaded lettering and white paint scheme, according to Police Magazine.
The Mooresville Police Department has launched a Drone First Responder program, using drones to provide real-time aerial support and faster situational awareness during emergency calls.
The Culpeper Police Department has unveiled a new fleet design inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains, selected through a department-wide process involving both sworn and civilian staff.
Powell, Ohio, is using fleet data and lifecycle analysis to guide police vehicle purchases and replacement timing, a strategy expected to save the city nearly $400,000 over five years.
Working to eliminate errors and challenges and increase reliability during fueling, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has implemented RoadFlex for its 37-vehicle patrol fleet.
How an uncrewed police ground vehicle is providing technical assistance to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office through a pilot program with the goal of supporting officers and reducing crime through increased marked police presence.
The Police Fleet Innovators Award is for fleet operations teams that have come up with innovative solutions to common problems in law enforcement fleets. Click for deadline details, plus an award FAQ.
What did police fleets actually wrestle with in 2025? We highlight the most impactful stories on vehicles, funding, technology, and operations, distilling the key takeaways for fleet and command staff.