YAKIMA, WA – Yakima County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) took delivery of 17 Chevrolet Caprice patrol vehicles, replacing more than half its patrol fleet of Ford Crown Victorias.

“We chose the Caprice based on total price (vehicle plus additions – i.e. console, shield, modification cost for equipment moved from older cars, etc.), performance, and gas mileage,” Lt. Brian Winter wrote in an e-mail.

The Sheriff’s Office also purchased one Ford Interceptor for testing.

According to Winter, the YCSO operates a total fleet of 72 vehicles, of which 36 are patrol vehicles. A local contractor installs equipment on the vehicles, and maintenance is done by three local vendors. The Sheriff’s Office replaces vehicles after 100,000 miles, changed a couple of years ago from a months-in-service replacement cycle.

Maintenance is the responsibility of the deputy to whom the car is assigned, Winter stated. He added that while YCSO does not work with the County fleet maintenance for vehicle maintenance and repairs, it does work with the County’s fleet manager for vehicle purchasing and remarketing.

Kentucky State Police recently chose the Caprice as its new patrol vehicle.

By Thi Dao