Using Ford Police Interceptor's for Fugitive recovery

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but I am curious to know how many people out there are using a Ford Crown Victoria P71 for your BEA work? How do you equip it? Did you purchase it new or used? And why did you choose this vehicle?

Thank you![/color][/color][/b][/code][/list]

I PERSONALLY HAVING SPENT OVER 16 YEARS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF CRN VICS I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THEM.
FIRST OF ALL MOST BAD GUYS CAN SPOT A CRN VIC WHEN IT LEAVES THE GARAGE.
MOST COPS THINK YOU ARE A WANABE

I DRIVE A RED DOGE PICKUP WITH A CAP 4WD OF COURSE X CAB.IN THE REAR SEAT I KEEP MY GEAR BAG AND VEST BAG AND I ALSO HAVE A 2 GUN RACK - BENNILLI NOVA PUMP 12 GUAGE AND CAR - 15 WITH XTRA MAGS. IN THE BED I HAVE A SEAT MOUNTED IT WILL HOLD 2 PRISONERS- WITH TIE DOWN RINGS MOUNTED TO THE FLOOR(LEG IRONS ATTACHED).ALL CAP WINDOWS ARE LEXAN AND REINFORCED AND TAILGATE AND REAR TAILGATE WINDOW LOCK.I ALSO HAVE A VENT FAN MOUNTED BEHIND MY CAB SLIDING WINDOW TO DRAW EITHER HEAT OR A/C INTO THE BED.ALL IN ALL IT IS SECURE AND COMFY BACK THERE.IT ALSO SERVES AS AN EMERGENCY SLEEPING SPACE WHILE I AM ON THE ROAD.
MY OTHER VEHICLES ARE FORD LIGHTNING(OVER 500 HORSEPOWER AT THE REAR WHEELS) AND A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.ALL ARE EQUIPT FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS(FIRST AID KITS, SECURE GUN LOCKERS, 2 WAY RADIOS SECURE PRISNOR TRANSPORT OPTIONS ETC. HADLEY DORFMAN H&G INVESTIGATION 603-493-3400
P.S. I AM PLANNING ON ADDING BOTH A FRONT AND REAR FACING VIDEO CAMERA AND RECORDER TO DOCUMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OUR ARRESTS(I ALEADY TAKE PICS OF MY SKIPS AFTER THE ARREST AND JUST AS I TURN THE OVER TO COPS (protects us from lawsuits))

I agree, CV's are good cars but since they are the quickest car to be associated with LE, it's not good for any kind of surveillance work. Secondly, since you shouldn't be doing any kind of pursuit anyway there's no need. Get a reliable car, with a good rear seat and cage if you transport.

I can understand someone who is a retired LEO not wanting to drive one anymore, and it sounds like you have a good setup with the Dodge, and I can certainly understand the aspect of not wanting to be reckognized, but all in all, I like CV's, they are the most comfortable car's out there, still have the most room, I like rear wheel drive v8 cars, and I also have a pickup.

Keep em going, mostly I just like to hear what people are driving and using out there.

Thanks for the input!

A P71 is mostly a good working car because it takes abuse. There are large pro and con issues about its use in recovery. I have one and a lot of guys in my industry do. We have a whole concept about them. But largely our viewpoint is unique. They are great cars. But not always good for everything we do.

_________________
Eric Kindley
Court Services Inc
"What can the bear do for you?"

Thanks man, I appreciate your input. I have seen your site and know that you have a P71, at least I assumed that from the photos. It appears as though you have a very professional setup.

THIS POST HAS DRAWN OUT MANY GOOD PIECES OF INFO-GOOD JOB.
I GUSEE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING LEARNED IS THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE DO IT DIFFERENTLY AND MOST ARE EFFECTIVE-AS LONG AS YOU DO IT RIGHT I DO NOT NOT CARE IF YOU DRIVE A(HERE I GO DATING MYSELF AGAIN)YUGO OR PETERBUILT TRACTOR-JUST DO OUR JOBS RIGHT-ALSO HAVE AS MANY VEHICLES AS POSSIBLE AT YOUR BECK AND CALL FOR THAT ALERT SKIP(WE ALSO DO REPOS AND SOMETIMES USE THOSE CARS)I EVEN HAVE A BABY SEAT WITH A DOLL IN IT TO THROUGH OFF THE BAD GUYS

WHATEVER METHOD USED THAT WORKS KEEP DOING IT -JUST REMEMBER THAT SKIPS TALK IN JAIL SO SOMETIMES YOUR LITTLE TRICK GETS TO BE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

AGAIN ALL YOU STAY SAFE

We only use the P71 and some other undercover cars as well. They take a huge amount of abuse. We do try and keep it all pro. And I appreciate your comments and your visit to our site.

Hadley has a great point. And even though he dates himself sometimes, if hes driving a Yugo for recovery its all good...lol The extension of my point is this:

You don't live in the neighborhoods that you do recovery in. And if you do, move!!! So anyone who does live in the neighborhood is going to make you from jump street no matter how clever you are. We use a reverse mistaken identity to get close. The kinds of officers who normally drive unmarked aren't getting out to frisk people ona whim and fancy. So the riff raff flee. And most of the time our bad guys stays thinking "It's going to happen to someone else". Wrong. Surprize, and its over. And another point: No-ones mom or relative has ever questioned us putting someone in the back of a Crown Vic.

Pro and con. Make of it what you wish. Sometimes its better to hide in plain site.

_________________
Eric Kindley
Court Services Inc
"What can the bear do for you?"

Once again, you have provided good information for me and many others either new or investigating the possibility of joining this profession.

This type of information is the reason I take time to read and post in these forums, realizing that there are many things to learn about this complicated and dangerous profession. I am glad to know that I can ask a question and receive a response (or several ) from seasoned vets.

Thanks again!

DM

The Ford Crown Police Interceptor is a fantastic vehicle! Witness the prime time chases where the chased vehicle is flying apart, but the chasers are cruising right along.

These units have extra heavy-duty stuff such as extra oil, transmission & power steering coolers. Also, prisoner partitions are easy to find for these vehicles.

The ride is exceptional!

I've been using an Interceptor AKA The Office for years, and this vehicle is used for only one purpose, so it is in a state of readiness at all times.

I've gone into...well...how should I say it? Neighborhoods bearing tremendous real estate bargains, and the Interceptor does two things: it keeps the bad guys from throwing stuff, it denotes organization, professionalism, and can even be considered a part of the use of force continuum in the show of force catagory.

I've been in caravans with as many as 10 police units hopping from suspected location to suspected location, and the cops from various jurisdictions have always complimented my team and I for our professionalism.

The Interceptor has it's place in BEA work so long as it is used responsibly and pursuant to applicable laws governing one's actions.

Rex