Police officers, perhaps more than anybody else, deal with a fair degree of uncertainty, nearly by definition of their job. Situations are constantly changing, as are the needs of the police departments that deal with them. To help them address these needs, Chevrolet has added the Silverado to its fleet of Special Service Vehicles, or SSVs.

The SSV package is available on the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab in 1WT or 1LS trims, and includes the 355 horsepower 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8. Police agencies can choose two- or four-wheel drive models with the standard 6-foot, 6-inch pickup box, or a shorter 5-foot, 8-inch box, General Motors said.

“Last year, the Silverado 1500 was awarded for its low cost of ownership, a key purchasing factor for municipalities and government agencies,” Ed Peper, U.S. vice president for GM Fleet & Commercial, said in the company’s statement. “The EcoTec3 engine provides the best fuel economy of any V8 and still gives agencies the power and capability they need from a full-size pickup.”

However, the package goes beyond a fancy paint job. Underneath, there are some pretty nifty features that police agencies will undoubtably find useful. The alternator has been made more powerful and is now rated at 170 amps. Most importantly, though, Chevrolet has added a second, auxiliary battery so that officers can use the internal gadgets and equipment — think laptop, lights, radios, and cameras — without having to keep the truck idling. 

This will naturally help police departments — many of which are already somewhat strapped for cash — save some money on fuel, since the truck doesn’t have to be on unless it’s driving. There’s also a 110-volt outlet for equipment, and the Silverado SSV comes standard with electrical power supply for four upfitter switches that can be wired to whatever the department needs them to be. An auxiliary transmission cooling unit has also been added.

The Silverado SSV joins a specially formatted Tahoe, Caprice, and Impala in General Motors’ stable of law enforcement vehicles. There’s also a Chevrolet Express prisoner transport van.

“Nearly two-thirds of the Silverado SSV’s cab is made of high-strength steel, and inlaid triple-sealed doors create a strong, quiet mobile workspace to conduct daily business,” said Peper.

Just because you can’t drive a police truck doesn’t mean we don’t have you covered. Here are three new cars, trucks, and SUVs from GM coming our way by the end of this year or early next year.

1. Cadillac Escalade

It’s been a few years since Cadillac’s Escalade has gotten any real attention (the same could be said about the rest of GM’s large SUV lineup), but 2015 will change all of that. Aside from the drastically different look, the Escalade promises be better performing, more comfortable, more fuel efficient, and just as decadent as it has been in the past — perhaps even more so. Its interior is likely one of the most refined that we’ve seen from Cadillac in a number of years, with options for genuine wood trim, premium leather, and so on.

2. GMC Canyon

American manufacturers all but abandoned the small truck segment, but with the new GMC canyon and Chevy Colorado, GM is looking to even the score with Toyota’s reigning Tacoma pickup. The trucks will have two gasoline options — an inline four and a V6 — with a diesel option slated for 2016. The segment is aimed at some aggressive growth in the nearer future, with Honda teasing a new Ridgeline, VW toying with bringing its Amarok Stateside, and a new Nissan Frontier before long.

3. Cadillac ATS Coupe

Cadillac’s ATS has proven to be quite popular, and the brand is hoping to recreate the magic with two fewer doors. While many attempt to make coupes more flashy than the sedans on which they’re based, GM has taken a simple, crisp approach to the ATS Coupe, letting straight, angular lines and clean, vent- and duct-free sheet metal do the talking. The ATS Coupe will be available with a 2.0 liter four or a 3.6 liter V6, but it’s the ATS-V Coupe that we’re really interested in.