The Twin Lakes Police Department is continuing a switch in patrol vehicles that moves away from an iconic patrol car, but dramatically improves gas mileage and traction in winter weather.
Most current patrol vehicles in the village are Ford Crown Victorias, a make and model used by many departments. Monday, the Village Board agreed to buy a smaller engine powered 2004 Chevrolet Impala for $8,950. That vehicle could improve miles per gallon of gas by somewhere between 12 to 18 miles over the Fords, said David Cox, village administrator. The village also will sell two Crown Victorias to the dealer for a total of $5,300. The difference between the purchase of the Impala and the selling of the surplus Fords is $3,650.
“It costs substantailly less to operate a Chevy Impala than a Crown Victoria,” Lt. Kevin Klahs said.
The village last year bought another Impala for the police department.
Chief Dale R. Racer has researched Impalas as patrol vehicles and he is satisfied the Chevy is the better option for the TLPD.
“I’ve talked to sheriff’s departments that use Impalas for patrol and are constantly traveling 55 plus miles per hour on all three shifts and have not had many operational or performance problems,” Racer said. “I’ve talked to both rural and urban police departments and they have seen a significant decrease in fuel consumption using the Impalas, and getting away from the larger police vehicles such as the Ford Crown Vic,Chevy Tahoes, etc.”
Racer also factored into his analysis that the village has about 37 miles of roadway, most of which has a speed limit under 35 mph.
“I can’t remember the last time we were involved in any vehicle pursuits so I’m not too worried about that,” Racer said.
Another factor in favor of the Impalas in Wisconsin is they have front wheel drive, which offers better traction in snowy road conditions, Racer said. Crown Victorias have rear-wheel drive.
This Chevrolet Impala 9C1 of the Prince George's County, Maryland Police Department is an example of an Impala squad car.
