Well I got word from my boss today that if I want to stay in the division I currently am in then I have to supply my own police vehicle. I was thinking about just buying a cash car and keeping her, but then I had another great idea!

I could buy a used (07-08) Tahoe and be able to take the magnetic stripes off. I could put this LED strips on the luggage rack for my light bars (my friend did his like that) and it would be easy to take on and off and concealable.

Then I talk to my wifey about it and she says that she was going to start looking for Tahoe's so I should just do that. Good news is that I'll get an extra 575/month for car allowance.

I found an '07 LT with black leather, center console, captains chairs in the back etc... for a good price and I'm thinking about doing it. I really hate to get rid of my truck but I'm not willing to transfer divisions. I'll miss Betsy badly though. I'll keep ya updated!

 

Have you thought about an Expy? All of our Battalion Chief/EMS Lt/Police Lt's use them and they love em. I've had the chance to drive them a few times and they really fly. They can be easily modified with standard emergency lights. Ours also have the truck outfitted with gear racks and shelving so everything is kept organized. If one of the units is at my station this weekend I'll try and snap some pictures.

 

Budget crisis must be getting bad if cops have to supply their own cars.

 

The day I have to supply my own CVPI is the day that I retire!.....

 

I did....my wife is all about the new Tahoe's though. I tried just because I wanted to stay in a Ford with the 5.4L because I love driving my Ford. So if you see a guy driving a Tahoe with a Ford Baseball cap on....it's me.

Well I work in our School Resource division and we are having a car shortage as our department is rapidly expanding over the 500 mark. I drive a total of 15 miles a day (to my campus and back) so I understand. The county pays an additional $575 a month for allowance so if I trade in my truck and my note goes up $50 a month then I'm still making money off the deal. The good news is that it's a great tax writeoff.

Now if I was still regular patrol and that was the case I'd be job hunting!

 

Why not keep the F-150 and pocket the $575?

 

Or keep the F-150 and use the 575 to pay for a Tahoe?

 

I can't use the F-150, it will be striped out with the department vehicle stickers (I'll use magnetics so I can take them off easily). I can't afford 3 car notes and after taxes that $575 turns into about $400. On a Tahoe that wouldn't even cover the note muchless the additional gas, maintenance and insurance. If I traded the F150 in then my gas bill wouldn't change much because I already drive my truck to the station. Plus I would be making money instead of spending all of the $575.

 

Not following you....
Does it matter what vehicle gets the magnetic stripes? Or are you saying your getting a Tahoe regardless so the truck must go?

 

Do you have to pay for all the lights on your tahoe? Im assuming that you will use it as your daily driver and as your work car. So you will basically install hideaways/leds on luggage racks/lights behind grill/rear window and just leave then on all the time. Then when you go on vacation you will just remove the magnetic stripes/logos and go on your way?

Why cant you use the f150 as a patrol car?

 

I don't see why you couldn't use the F150 as a patrol car, the sheriffs here use trucks...

 

You can have that School Resource Officer Stuff! I like the mean streets!....

 

I am limited by my department to a Crown Victoria, Chevy Impala, Dodge Charger, Expedition, or Tahoe. Wife was looking at getting a Tahoe anyways so it works out. I tried for the Expy but she really wants a Tahoe. The good news is that I won't be getting a police package, instead I'm looking at LT or LTZ with leather and captain's chairs in the rear. I won't transport any prisoners, we have units to come pick them up. The only difference is she was going to get rid of her Acura TL.

You are correct on buying my own equipment and being able to use it as a daily driver also. That's why I want to get a Tahoe compared to the others because with the other vehicle's I'd have to take the magnets off and still drive around with a light bar either on top or in my back seat.

Politics got the best of me. Hated changing shifts all the time because I was a district unit. I wanted a steady schedule without having to worry about losing my extra jobs. I transferred and haven't looked back yet. I don't miss all the senseless paperwork and b.s. calls.

 

Why would you ever give government motors your money? i understand the whole thing with your wife and all but damn if its gonna be your work truck and you payin the bill, tell her you want a ford and she's gonna have to get over it

 

Our sheriff has to supply their own vehicles too. We have a few crown vics, two chargers, a explorer and the sheriff has a dodge dakota