ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police say they're old and beat up - the Chevy Cavaliers and Ford Crown Victorias they drive. And they drive them hard. The cruisers have high mileage. And some are starting to break down.
Monday afternoon Orlando City Commissioners approved $737,517 for OPD to replace 33 old cruisers.
"We need them," said Deputy Police Chief Robert Pigman. "It's a tool, if you will. We need to service the community and that's our vehicle to get us where we need to be."
The old patrol cars will be replaced with 2015 Dodge Charger Police Pursuit Vehicles, purchased from AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Pembroke Pines.
Pigman said the department already owns several Dodge Chargers and his officers love them.
"The reason: they're very durable, they last a long time, and they had a lot of head room and leg room," said Dep. Chief Pigman.
Monday's vote was routine. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department have an agreement to replace a certain number of aging police vehicles each year.