5 Random Facts About Police Cars
The anatomy and interior of police cars can be a mystery to those outside of the law enforcement field. Here are five surprising facts to expand your knowledge of cop car features.
Advanced technology
Minimalistic interiors for police vehicles are now a thing of the past. Today, the majority of police cars incorporate Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) technology. Put simply, this is a high-tech surveillance system. It constantly snaps high-resolution photographs and syncs with the police database, so officers can identify and catch criminals more quickly.
A unique lock system
Cop cars have a special run lock system that enables the engine to keep running after the officer takes the key out of the ignition. However, the technology also has a safety feature to ward off hackers. It automatically shuts off the engine if it detects that a driver is trying to shift out of the park setting and hijack the car without a key.
Age and maintenance
While the age of passenger vehicles is measured in miles, the age of a cop car is measured in hours. The meter on the dashboard records how many hours a police vehicle has been on. It’s a more accurate way to determine the wear and tear on the vehicle since the system takes into account idling.
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Photo: Vance Air Force Base
Different tones for different situations
Each police car siren is equipped with multiple tones that correspond to certain scenarios, as Extreme Tactical Dynamics articulates. For example, a cop will usually turn on the “wail” tone when navigating a street or highway. They might switch to a “piercer” tone when driving through dense traffic areas. The “howler” tone is a hybrid between low-frequency and siren sound effects, commonly used to help notify a vehicle up ahead to move out of the way.
A utilitarian backseat
You might be familiar with the metal-plate safety barrier that divides the front and back zones of a police car cabin. However, the backseat usually lacks cloth upholstery, for easy cleanup when transporting drunk or ill individuals.
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News Sources: HotCars, Extreme Tactical Dynamics
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