Mich. Police Department Adds 17 New Vehicles to Fleet

KALAMAZOO, MI — Kalamazoo’s Department of Public Safety is getting 17 new vehicles.

The purchase of four Chevrolet Tahoes, five Ford Utility Interceptors and eight Dodge Durangos cost the city $821,075. That averages to roughly $48,000 per vehicle.

City commissioners approved the purchases during a Monday, Jan. 27 meeting. Money will come from the city’s general fund.

In 2023, KDPS purchased 10 Dodge Durangos to serve as front-line patrol vehicles. The department was moving away from the Ford Explorer, Chief David Boysen said previously, as Durangos were about $1,700 less and had fewer mechanical issues.

This year, KDPS decided to reintroduce Ford vehicles to cut costs, since equipment inside existing KDPS Ford police vehicles can be transferred to the new model, Capt. Chris Franks said. KDPS will also assess if the latest model offers improved reliability.

The Ford Interceptor is a modified version of the Ford Explorer that provides law enforcement with more space and durability, per the manufacturer’s website.

The department maintains a fleet of 56 marked police, fire and emergency response vehicles, per city documents.

That’s up from 41 vehicles in February 2024.

The purchase of new vehicles reflects the growth of the force, Franks said. This year, 18 new officers joined the department.

Multiple officers use patrol vehicles nearly 24 hours a day, racking up miles and wear and tear on the cars, Franks said.

Several high-mileage vehicles are replaced each year, Franks said. The older models are rotated to other parts of the department or retired.

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