Go ahead and do a double take when you see one of the new special edition State Police squad cars on the road as early as tomorrow morning…but you'll do well to pay heed if the officer behind the wheel is motioning for you to pull over, because it's legitimate — a real squad car on patrol just like all of the bright blue ones.
Starting tomorrow, 50 special edition black and gold patrol cars will join the Michigan State Police (MSP) patrol fleet in honor of the department’s 100th Anniversary. The fully equipped 2016 Dodge Chargers are painted to resemble the department’s iconic 1937 Ford Model 74 patrol car.
The new patrol vehicle design is shown above…and the unit it is commemorating is shown below.
The 1937 Ford Model 74 patrol car was one of the department’s first patrol cars and is the oldest vehicle in the department’s historical fleet. This unique patrol car had a siren that ran off of the fan belt and a radio that was ‘receive only.’
The MSP used black and gold patrol cars until 1954 when Commissioner Joseph A. Childs changed the department’s patrol cars from black and gold to the bright shade of blue that remains the standard today.
Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue is Director of the Michigan State Police. She tells us, “These black patrol cars with their distinctive gold striping and 100th Anniversary door shield are a throwback to our past and one of the ways in which we are ‘Celebrating 100 Years of Service’ this year.” She notes, “Because we are known for our ‘Blue Goose,’ we expect these black patrol cars to turn heads when drivers see them on Michigan roads and at events, providing us with opportunities to talk about our centennial and interact positively with the citizens we serve and protect.”
Each of the MSP’s 30 posts, including local facilities at both Niles and Paw Paw, will receive at least one 100th Anniversary patrol car for use on general patrol and at community events. One would venture to guess it will likely be in the queue at both the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade and the Three Oaks Flag Day Parade.
These patrol cars were purchased as part of the department’s annual fleet replacement so no additional money was expended for them, nor is there an additional cost to purchase a black car versus a blue car. These 100th Anniversary patrol cars will remain in the department’s fleet until they reach their maximum mileage and must be replaced, like any other patrol car.
For more information about the MSP’s 100th Anniversary, visit www.michigan.gov/MSP or follow the conversation on social media using #MSP100.
