LIHU‘E — The Kauai Police Department expects to spend nearly $2 million to replace an aging fleet over two years.
Nine 2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility SUVs are on-island and undergoing licensing and certification before deployment to precincts over the next several weeks.
The all-wheel-drive SUV with a six-cylinder engine gets roughly the same gas mileage as current sedans.
“We anticipate that the Explorer will be a better performance car for us,” said Assistant Chief of Police Ale Quibilan.
According to the KPD, there are 16 Explorers due to arrive this year that were budgeted in 2012 at $730,919.01 ($45,682.44 each). Other vehicles budgeted in 2012 that are already in service include four Toyota Tacoma pickups for the Patrol Services Bureau at $157,632.32 ($39,408.08 each), and two Ford Expeditions for Investigative Services Bureau at $88,559.84 ($44,279.92 each).
The 2013 budget is adding 17 Interceptors, with 16 going to PSB and one to the ISB. According to the county, the Purchasing Department is currently processing recommendation of the $736,842.56 award ($43,343.68 each).
KPD is also requesting two unmarked Ford sedans that cost $61,986.70 contract ($30,993.35 each). The vehicles in the 2013 budget have not been delivered yet.
If approved, the total 2013 and 2012 vehicle budgets would be $1,775,940.43.
The current fleet of KPD vehicles is mainly Crown Victorias, a model that Ford decided to discontinue. More than half the fleet will remain in use for the next five to eight years and the oldest 12 to 15 year old vehicles will be replaced first.
According to a funding request, the KPD “suffers with aging fleet vehicles” and needs new ones.
The request noted that 2000-2001 vehicles are still in operation with the Investigative Services Bureau. The vehicles are in need of constant repair and ancillary parts are beginning to wear out faster and becoming less available.
Marked patrol cars are also a priority for the department, according to the request. The new patrol vehicles will be equipped with improved lighting and Mobile Data Terminals that will improve communications with dispatch to reduce time on the radio.
Pursuit vehicles have exceptional cooling systems for extended high-speed operation and a heavy suspension for better cornering. The all-wheel drive SUV has a low wheel base and also handles well in pursuit situations, according to Quibilan.
Patrol Services Bureau expects to have some of the SUVs on the road in early June.
“We are still getting them licensed and the insurance coverage,” Quibilan said. “They should be on road in each district over the next few weeks and we will see them around this summer.”
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
