Regardless of where they roam, police cars need to be up to the task. That means operating in tough conditions for long hours and handling the occasional odd task. However, that also means police vehicles are some interesting additions to American roads. And maybe your driveway. 

Police cars aren’t just typical production vehicles with some fancy lettering and lighting

Beyond the gear you’ll find in law enforcement vehicles across the country, there are a handful of things that make police cars a unique set of wheels. 

1. Some departments use them as battering rams

Ever heard of a “PIT maneuver?” Well, law enforcement will sometimes use cruisers to persuade a vehicle to stop fleeing by ramming into its rear quarter panel and prompting a loss of control. 

2. Some police vehicles will run without a key, but not for long

You might see an officer stop a cruiser and hop out with the engine still running. Well, a run-lock system can allow an officer to do so with confidence that it won’t be halfway to the next state by the time they return. The system allows a driver to remove the key, leave the car running, and cut off should a malicious actor attempt to jump in, put it in drive, and take off.  

3. Police cars tend to age like crazy

When people buy cars, trucks, and SUVs, they typically consider mileage as a primary factor. However, the service lives of police cars tend to be dictated by hours, not unlike a jet ski. As such, a patrol car can have long, arduous lives of idling and hard driving without having huge odometer readings. 

4. They don’t have to be boring

So, we’ve all likely seen pictures of the wild and crazy police vehicles used by law enforcement in Dubai. You know, white and green Lamborghini Aventadors and Bugatti Veyron hypercars? Well, the cars you find in this country don’t have to be boring, either. Departments across the country have fielded muscled-up models like Chevrolet Corvettes and Ford Mustang GTs. 

However, it isn’t just to dissuade drivers from speeding. Department-liveried Corvettes and Mustangs can serve as recruitment tools and community engagement.

5. You can buy them!

The best thing you may not have known about police vehicles is that you don’t have to be a cop to have one. You can buy a surplus law enforcement vehicle and drive it as your own. Of course, there are a few caveats. For starters, it is illegal to drive around with functioning emergency lights and sirens. What’s more, you won’t be able to buy one loaded with firearms or a law enforcement computer still installed. Sorry, folks.

What you can do, though, is buy a surplus rear-wheel-drive cruiser with a muscular Interceptor or HEMI under the hood. But remember, these cars live hard, often violent lives. Buy with caution.