Police buy former state patrol SUV
November 24, 2021
COLFAX - The Colfax police are buying a former Washington State Patrol SUV to replace two older vehicles.
The city council unanimously approved purchasing the 2017 Ford Explorer for $10,500. The Colfax police pick up the SUV on Nov. 30, said Chief Bruce Blood.
The 2005 Ford Crown Victoria patrol car the police are using has electrical problems with the addition of a computer and radio. Mechanically the car is still sound and can be declared surplus and sold to the public.
"It's just getting on its last legs," he said. "Instead of putting more money into it, it sort of popped up that the state patrol is getting rid of some cars. Now is the time to jump in with the opportunity."
The state patrol is releasing 25 cars from service.
The all-wheel-drive Explorer has all of the necessary police upgrades and the city only has to install the computer stand and radio, plus add police department graphics.
A 2013 Ford Taurus is going to be stripped of police equipment and retired along with the Crown Victoria.
The car features twin-turbos, but one is broken and to repair it could cost between $6,000 and $8,000, said Blood.
"That's more than it's worth," he said. "We were hoping to get more service out of that but it didn't work out ... The Taurus would be perfect for parts."
The Explorer would be added to the police department's fleet of a Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Dodge Charger.
"All of them (are) in fairly good shape," said Blood.
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