Ford Premieres Police Prep Package

DEARBORN, Mich.--Ford Motor Co. has introduced the first-ever police vehicle prep package designed to prepare vehicles for law enforcement use. Ford has selected Crown North America, a division of Leggett and Platt Inc. to build an exclusive, innovative and factory-approved conversion package for its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

“The pre-packaged interceptor greatly reduces the normal up-fitting time and costs for converting these vehicles, and saves on the unnecessary repairs resulting from the improper installation of equipment,” said Ron Anderson, Ford’s government marketing brand manager for the North American fleet, lease and re-marketing operations.

The package includes the auxiliary items that are most often requested to fully equip Ford’s police interceptor for law enforcement use and is available to Ford dealers throughout North America. The interceptor is covered by a warranty of three years/36,000 miles.

The police package can be ordered as an individual factory option and includes:

• Strobe Bulbs -- These are installed in the front parking lenses and rear taillight lenses.

• Six Shielded Coaxial Strobe Conductor Cables -- Pre-run to front parking lenses, taillights and rear deck.

• Three Waterproof Isolator Maxi Fuses

• Three Power/Ground Wires -- Consisting of six No. 8 gauge wires. Pre-run to front and rear Power Control Centers and coiled at the base of the B pillar for light bar installations.

• Wiring harnesses -- GXL automotive-grade wiring that is protected by convolute and provides power for accessories where the siren is pre-run.

• Two Power Control Centers -- This includes one in the glove box and one in the trunk, each of which houses six fuses, battery and accessory power.

• Console Mounting Platform -- This is secured and uses existing mounting points. The power-coated aluminum mounting plate is pre-drilled for additional equipment.

• Large Arm Rest -- This is mounted on the console, has rugged construction for long-term durability, and the armrest is removable.

• Conduit -- 2 x 4-inch opening. For ease of installation, the conduit will house and protect any additional wire run from the console to the trunk.

• Remote Door-Lock Adapter -- A hidden manual override of door locks for rear doors.

• Trunk Air Circulation Fan -- This pulls air from passenger air and exhausts through the trunk, stabilizing climate for equipment.

• Permanent “Y” Secure Strap -- Used for securing the trunk when carrying large items like a bicycle.

• Dual Storage Boxes -- Helps maximize trunk space and provide equipment mounts. Clear view covers for quick reference.

• Rear Communications Service Tray -- Glides on heavy-duty tracks and is shipped with a secured spare tire.

Before development of the package, multiple outside suppliers would install specific pieces of equipment to law enforcement cars. “An interceptor equipped with the prep package comes off the Ford assembly line and is shipped to Crown’s St. Thomas plant, in Ontario, Canada, for a 48-hour turn-around where the proper modifications are made before being shipped back to Ford,” said Maynard Lyman, Crown’s marketing manager. “With the prep package, Ford’s Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the closest thing law enforcement agencies could purchase to a completely marked police vehicle.”

Ford expects to build between 10,000 and 12,000 of the pre-packaged cars in the 2001 model year. The package went into production in early November and was announced to the law enforcement community Oct. 2. Since 1995, Ford has held 80 to 85 percent of the North American market for law enforcement vehicle sales, with the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor leading the pack, he said.