< President Breean Beggs /* they are talking about Mari, and still don't believe these people are the terrorists,so how did Mari get to Russia, if she was here in mental hospital ran by Harris, Garrett, trump, why and how because they all collaborate., president of Ukraine is playing the part to get US in there to get killed.all presidents are in on it together ,>

WRAP® Technologies – Safer Policing Outcomes Through Innovative Technology SIGN INREGISTER SEARCH What really impacts morale in policing? It takes work: Understanding the dynamics of communication in public safety agencies Share the good stuff: Police leadership tips in a changing world Administrative handling of the patrol rifle How supported do rural officers feel? Interpreting the data from Police1’s State of the Industry survey LEO supervisors, the results are in. It’s all about YOU! How to buy riot response gear (ebook) 'I want to be Jared again!”: An officer’s story of trauma and the process of healing Poem: Police Man 1,500 courses and videos for every training need. Download a brochure now! Opioid settlement funding: The impact on first responders Field training: The paradigm has changed What really impacts morale in policing? It takes work: Understanding the dynamics of communication in public safety agencies Share the good stuff: Police leadership tips in a changing world Administrative handling of the patrol rifle How supported do rural officers feel? Interpreting the data from Police1’s State of the Industry survey LEO supervisors, the results are in. It’s all about YOU! How to buy riot response gear (ebook) 'I want to be Jared again!”: An officer’s story of trauma and the process of healing Poem: Police Man 1,500 courses and videos for every training need. Download a brochure now! Opioid settlement funding: The impact on first responders Field training: The paradigm has changed ‹› Topics Patrol Cars 'Too small' for police work: Thumbs-down review for Tesla pilotThis city wants to move toward an all-electric fleet, but it looks like Teslas won't be a part of itFeb 28, 2022

By Adam Shanks The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Tesla Model Y can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in as little as 31/2 seconds, all with electric power.

What it can't do, according to Spokane Police Department leaders, is comfortably accommodate a police officer.

The Spokane Police Department has piloted two Teslas this year as the city looks to move toward an all-electric fleet of cars. The reviews are in, and they're scathing.

"They're not a suitable police car. They are too small. They are not designed for police work," Maj. Michael McNab told the Spokane City Council's Public Safety and Community Health Committee earlier this month.

That leaves the city in a bit of a conundrum.

The police department wants to buy 64 new vehicles this year to begin the process of replacing its aging fleet over the next decade. And it doesn't want Teslas.

A Spokane Police Department Tesla Model Y. (Jeff Rost) Police leaders recently showed several council members in-person the tight confines of the Teslas to bolster their argument.

[RELATED: Debunking the top 10 electric vehicle myths in law enforcement]

The Spokane City Council — especially President Breean Beggs — insists that the city move toward electric options as required by both state and city law whenever feasible.

"If the Tesla isn't the one you want, pick some you would like and try them out," Beggs said.

But the police department prefers the ready availability of its more traditional Ford K8 hybrid SUVs. Although department leaders say they're not opposed to future electric options, they don't view Teslas — which were developed with regular citizens in mind, not police officers — as a suitable car for a cop on patrol.

The Teslas were bought by the city last March, but it took months to design, build and install equipment that would bring a standard Tesla to modern police standards — including a protective bumper and prisoner cage.

An employee survey identified numerous complaints about the Teslas, inside which officers found a tight squeeze. In the passenger side, for example, the officer's laptop mount encroaches across the leg of whomever sits there.

It costs about $30,000 to fully outfit a Tesla as a patrol car, not including the cost of buying the vehicle, compared to about $8,000 to $15,000 for a K8 Hybrid, according to the department.

But even with those additional commissioning costs, the estimated five-year cost of ownership to the city is $101,000 for the Tesla and $99,000 for the K8 Hybrid, a negligible difference.

Beggs notes that electric cars are expected to last longer, and he believes that the Tesla would still have substantial savings over the hybrid.

Beggs isn't attached to the Teslas. He's attached to electrification.

Beggs is hesitant to heavily invest in gasoline-powered cars when more suitable electric options could be just around the corner. He pointed to the new, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, for example.

"Things continue to evolve. There's better and better options," Beggs said.

McNab outlined the current options, including the Lightning.

"For this 64-vehicle purchase, there isn't a suitable electric vehicle solution, and if we were to buy any one of these alternatives we would just be experimenting with electric cars on a grander scale than we are with the two Teslas," McNab said.

Beggs will continue to pursue electric options.

"The challenge is they keep looking for reasons to say no instead of how to accomplish" using electric vehicles, Beggs said. "That's my frustration with the department."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Tags Patrol Cars Patrol Vehicle Washington RECOMMENDED FOR YOU How to stand up an electric police fleet The economic advantages of electric vehicles Debunking the top 10 electric vehicle myths in law enforcement Photo of the Week: Rise and shine with patrol Photo of the Week: Big Sky Country Bill proposes removing blue lights from atop Ga. state police cars How to stand up an electric police fleet The economic advantages of electric vehicles Debunking the top 10 electric vehicle myths in law enforcement Photo of the Week: Rise and shine with patrol Photo of the Week: Big Sky Country Bill proposes removing blue lights from atop Ga. state police cars ‹› POLICE1 TOP 5 Video: Detective is knocked down by SUV, then shoots suspect in head Ex-officer cleared in shooting during Breonna Taylor raid 'Too small' for police work: Thumbs-down review for Tesla pilot Watch: Houston PD releases video of shootout that wounded 3 cops Man open fires in Milwaukee police station, officers return fire MORE POLICE1 ARTICLES

PATROL CARS Photo of the Week: Rise and shine with patrol Photo of the Week: Big Sky Country Bill proposes removing blue lights from atop Ga. state police cars MORE PATROL CARS NEWS

FIND NEW PRODUCTS Police Emergency Lights Vehicle Graphics and Decals MORE PRODUCT LISTINGS

LATEST PRODUCT NEWS Conn. PD launches real-time community app to fight crime Majority of community members surveyed don’t want Portland police watching body camera videos before writing reports Photo of the Week: Rise and shine with patrol Caught on camera: How LPR tech is helping this N.C. PD track criminals Looking ahead: How policing and public safety are changing MORE PRODUCT NEWS

PATROL CARS VIDEOS Training day: Defensive use of your patrol car Comedians smash patrol cars on NY street Police chief gets Tasered to fundraise for new cruisers MORE PATROL CARS VIDEOS

About Police1

Advertise

Member Support

My Profile

isabel-45her / Take-ownership