Black and White Patrol Cars, Standardized Uniforms

[The Last Standing Knight]

This is not political nor trying to be political. It is merely a question directed towards the LEO members here.

For the past few months, I have been told by several LEOs from different agencies that if an agency receives any Federal money, they must go to black and white (LAPD style) patrol cars and dark colored, standardized uniforms.

Is there any truth to any of this?

[Farmer17]

Oklahoma State troopers and several local agencies have changed from black and white to all black patrol cars. I figured that since they drive Dodge Chargers now, its a lot easier to sell an all black used Charger to the general public than it is to sell a black and white one.

[CQB27]

Just about every LE agency in the US receives some form of federal funding, mainly in the form of federal grant(s). No truth to the black and white unit thing. Many agencies are transitioning away from multi color to solid color vehicles because they are cheaper to buy....nothing more, nothing less.

[DeadAye]

Our little town just got some new black & white Dodges - They really look *professional*.
Several of them are wearing kind of a blue grey uniform - The look much better than the black swat type things that several were wearing.

[Arik]

I wouldnt think its a Fed thing. I work in Morrisville Pa and the PD is Falls twp use both blk/wht and plain white cars. Trenton NJ (capital of NJ) use blk/wht. And many others around me are white or mixed

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[jlrhiner]

I have nothing of substance to add to this, but wanted to say that I think there is nothing more professional looking than a black and white Police car.

Just the opinion of an observer.

[shouldazagged]

I don't believe a word of it.

[GaryS]

Ford and Chevrolet used to offer two colors at no extra charge, but that has changed. The standard police package is now black and white and in many cases the cars a painted black and the white is actually a vinyl "wrap" that is applied.

Some agencies buy white cars and have graphics added on afterwards.

Some state agencies still pay for the custom colors as their cars are individually issued so they are on the road long enough to justify the cost.

I don't think that any of it has to do with federal money. Boston PD gets a lot of federal money and their cars are still white with blue and gray graphics. Most of the suburban departments are going to black and white because that is what the group buying contract specifies. I think they can get either the LAPD black and white or the CHP black and white as I've seen both, but a lot more of the LAPD version.

[pawncop]

I have not heard of such a thing. Our patrol units are basic white with a custom logo.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Ford and Chevrolet used to offer two colors at no extra charge, but that has changed. The standard police package is now black and white and in many cases the cars a painted black and the white is actually a vinyl "wrap" that is applied.

Some agencies buy white cars and have graphics added on afterwards.

Some state agencies still pay for the custom colors as their cars are individually issued so they are on the road long enough to justify the cost.

I don't think that any of it has to do with federal money. Boston PD gets a lot of federal money and their cars are still white with blue and gray graphics. Most of the suburban departments are going to black and white because that is what the group buying contract specifies. I think they can get either the LAPD black and white or the CHP black and white as I've seen both, but a lot more of the LAPD version.

If you draw a line from Taxes north to Canada ....our company buys most of the police and Gov cars from that line and to the east. In my 13 years i have yet to see a vinyl wrap on a police car as a paint. We have generic black/white, WV state police blue with orange roof, Mass state police lt blue with drk blue, NY state police weird blue, Va state police blue/gray, dark green/black Md state police, Ind state police black with gold triangular stripe on the hood and many more city cars ....none are vinyl. Only vinyl about them are the stickers which come off with a heat gun.

Small departments that buy other department's used police cars might do that in order to cover up the previous paint job but i have yet to see that.

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[GaryS]

All of the special colors you note are paint. Ford is offering vinyl wraps in their current police package brochure. Scroll down to page 24, the section that says "Exterior and Interior Looks. They list three different "Two Tone Vinyl Treatments". That search took 0.37 seconds on Google.

Here is a press release from the Chico, CA PD about their new Chevrolet Caprice cruisers. Scroll about 3/4 of the way down where they start talking about the vinyl wrap. I don't know if GM Fleet offers vinyl from the factory, but it's certainly available from the aftermarket graphics companies.

I didn't look at Dodge, so I don't know if they offer wraps as an option.

Originally Posted by Arik

If you draw a line from Taxes north to Canada ....our company buys most of the police and Gov cars from that line and to the east. In my 13 years i have yet to see a vinyl wrap on a police car as a paint. We have generic black/white, WV state police blue with orange roof, Mass state police lt blue with drk blue, NY state police weird blue, Va state police blue/gray, dark green/black Md state police, Ind state police black with gold triangular stripe on the hood and many more city cars ....none are vinyl. Only vinyl about them are the stickers which come off with a heat gun.

Small departments that buy other department's used police cars might do that in order to cover up the previous paint job but i have yet to see that.

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[Arik]

I guess its a new thing theyre trying out.

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[feralmerril]

We live at cedar city utah. We have the city pd, and less than a mile away both the county SO, and the UHP. The cars here cover the spectrum. One for the UHP is one of the hottest blue with raceing stripes hot mustang with blacked out windows. They must not have good retirement here as the old white haired geezer assigned it looks almost as old as me! That or he`s just haveing too much fun! For awhile, maybe even yet, the city had a unmarked black suburban with out of state california plates! I wondered about that one. I will tell you one thing. If you ever drive I-15 from vegas to salt lake dont get sucked in to raceing any wild looking hot kiddy car. We have em in all colors! We now have a 80 mph speed limit through our area north.

[Florida Guy]

Love the look of the old B&W's

[sipowicz]

I was under the impression that the feds wanted everyone to go to all white to standardize police vehicles so they will be more easily recognized (maybe by foreigners?)...but to me, nothing is more recognizable than a black and white.

[UncleEd]

This is a sidetrack question but anyone familiar with the "hat squad" in Atlanta? Veteran homicide detectives do, or did, wear fedoras as a mark of their unit. Sort of a "uniform."

[feralmerril]

I hope someday someone does a article on the evolution of uniforms and what was "in" with the way cops dressed through the years. The old 8 point texico or bus driver hats, the mustachs, aviator glass`s, and now the shaved bullet heads with the fat "preacha rolls" in the back of the neck etc. Got to have those shades sticking up on top of your noggin too! How do they do that with the shaved and waxed bullet heads? Use scotch tape?

[The Last Standing Knight]

I figured I'd get a good idea about this from the people on here. My beef is that everyone is beginning to look the same...(Houston Police vs Humble, Tx Police vs Conroe, Tx Police). On scene or chase it would get confusing...especially since they have similar graphics on the doors.

Thanks!

[S. Hammer]

Originally Posted by UncleEd

This is a sidetrack question but anyone familiar with the "hat squad" in Atlanta? Veteran homicide detectives do, or did, wear fedoras as a mark of their unit. Sort of a "uniform."

The only Hat Squad I'm familiar with was LAPD Robbery in the '50's.
lapd.com/assets/Hat_Squad_LA_Tiimes.pdf

[ultra45]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

I was under the impression that the feds wanted everyone to go to all white to standardize police vehicles so they will be more easily recognized (maybe by foreigners?)...but to me, nothing is more recognizable than a black and white.

Actually true. The subsidizing of police cars by Uncle Sam started in the '70's. back then many agencies, especially smaller ones went along with the program. NYPD was offered money and basically turned the Feds down by painting the cars "Grabber Blue" with a white top starting in 1973. The white roof didn't cut it with the Feds, so, no cash for you, is what NYPD got. It wasn't until the 90's we went to all,white cares with Blue markings.

[Old TexMex]

My little home town is chock a block with federal agents. They drive Tahoes with black windows, but all different colors. But up the road aways, in Refugio, they got a whole string of County SUVs with "federal initiative" in the rear window. They're all white. But most of Texas doesn't qualify for federal grant money. Red state.

[rcnixon]

Raleigh PD is still blue and white and NCHP is silver and black.

I have heard that if the feds buy a fire appliance for a department, it is painted in that hideous fluorescent yellow.

Russ

[feralmerril]

Scuze me for going OT for a minute. All this talk about the feds "giveing" money to the PDs, FDs, road depts etc. Okay, heres the deal. They collect taxs then meter some of it back to departments IF they enforce regulations and rules that THEY want. For instance gasoline taxs we pay go to the fed and if laws that they want enforced like their idea what the speed limit should be in certain areas isnt passed they withold money.
Its a control issue.

[charlie sherrill]

The United States is different from other countries because our state and local law enforcement agencies are not nationalized/federalized. Therefore, no two departments are exactly alike. It's not hard to understand on the local level as most folks know who's what. I could see where a foreigner might be a little confused, but I think it's just another expression of our individualism that someone from another country might not understand. Jurisdictions here are also tighter than in other countries, thus different uniforms and cruisers are easier to understand locally. However, if it was ever codified I think a black and white theme for municipalities, green and white for counties, blue and white for states, and maybe pink and white for federal agencies might be easier to understand.

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by Florida Guy

Love the look of the old B&W's

Yup, can't beat black & white.

[counting cou]

my neck of the woods black seems to be the going new color and the writing on them is hard to see at first glance and I have seen a couple all white trucks that look very much like every day guy truck,they appear in my humble opinion trying to blend in some cases.

[Delos]

Originally Posted by Florida Guy

Love the look of the old B&W's

Hey, does that Harley Hog have a rocker clutch and stick shift on the tank? I recall when you could buy a used police Harley for 300 dollars. (A months pay?).

Apparently the amateurs that bought them often hit the pedal brake on the right side too fast in emergencies so laid them down on left side.

In 1955 an old old timer motorcycle buff once reminded me that prior to 1930 all vehicles only had rear brakes so all fishtailed when skidding to stop (remember keystone cops movies).

Back when teams of horses pulled wagons and trolley’s the horses got to the big city intersections before the driver could see around the corner. In the 1950’s a very old man was talking about how dangerous motorcycles were (in 1906?). So your speeding down the road (25 miles an hour?) and a team of horses pull out in front of you. So you lay it down and slide under the horses, and they fall on you. (Excitedly he then says) then you know what they do, the horses try to stand up.

A 1906 picture of market street before the 1907 earthquake. Back when driving anything was dangerous. (Was the .38 special the best gun then?)
Capturing Market Street, 1906 Pictures - CBS News

1906 Harley Davidson
Classic Bikes from the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

[CCantu357]

I have often wondered why many LE agencies left the Black and White scheme for the newer looks. In my city then went from B&W to grey to NY style stripes and now use white with a "Star Trek" looking font.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by rcnixon

Raleigh PD is still blue and white and NCHP is silver and black.

I have heard that if the feds buy a fire appliance for a department, it is painted in that hideous fluorescent yellow.

Russ

There was a big push for "slime lime" fire apparatus back in the 1980s, but nothing I know of recently. I know a number of departments in my area have received grants to pay for at least part of their apparatus and those trucks are still fire engine red.

The chevrons on the back of the apparatus are a NFPA thing.

[williamlayton]

What if'n I don't care what color or type they have as long as they are not behind me with the lights going ?
Blessings

[charger73se]

Our uniforms, cars, trucks and boats are all green. The feds have sent grant money for a lot of it.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by Mickey D

Yup, can't beat black & white.

How do you know it's black and white???? The photo is black and white!!!!! For all you know that car is dark blue.

[feralmerril]

Love that terminology "Grants". We pay taxs, send it to the feds, and if your state or department "plays ball" with what the bureocrats think they know, they bestow a fractional kickback .

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by feralmerril

Love that terminology "Grants". We pay taxs, send it to the feds, and if your state or department "plays ball" with what the bureocrats think they know, they bestow a fractional kickback .

Pretty much. Of course the reason behind that is so that the party in power can punish their opponents and reward their friends.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

How do you know it's black and white???? The photo is black and white!!!!! For all you know that car is dark blue.

Or they could be white and red, as the cars were on "Car 54, Where Are You".

"Ooo, Ooo"

[Faulkner]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

How do you know it's black and white???? The photo is black and white!!!!! For all you know that car is dark blue.

It could even be black & red. Seems I read somewhere that back in the B&W movie and TV days some of the TV police cars were black & red to differenciate them from the real deal when on the road. On B&W film you can't tell the difference.

If I recall correctly, in the TV show "Car 54 Where Are You", The TV show's police cars on location shots were actually bright red and white, which appeared as the proper shade of gray for an NYPD car on black-and-white film. NYPD cars of that era were black and green with a white roof and trunk

[4506517]

Hmmmm.....our agency is brown, khaki, white, and gold/yellow. We receive VERY little if any federal funding.

Our vehicles are white base with gold/yellow and brown graphics.

Not hard to figure out what kind of agency I work for, is it?

[feralmerril]

When I grew up this buick was the most identifiable. TV series "Highway patrol" staring broderick crawford as chris matthews.
TV series highway patrol car - Bing Images
Trivila: I met crawford years ago when I was a guard at universal studios. He was one actor that I didnt like-----before I met him. He was friendly with me. In his series and other movies he was pushy, snappy and a gruff charactor, not really likeable. I didnt find him that way off screen. He had a helicopter pilot he used in that series that I had flown with in 1960 on fires when I worked in the NPS. I asked broderick about him and he told me he had dropped in a fire had had got killed!
Another connection we had, as chris matthews he played the part that a brother of my uncle did in real life durring the same era. Herb null was the inspector on the california highway patrol in the 50s and 60s when I knew him. He ended up 2nd in command of the HP. When he retired he was a spokesman and PR for the southern california auto club. Herb was brother to my aunts husband, bill null. Just thought ya all needed to know that!

[mkk41]

Originally Posted by Delos

Hey, does that Harley Hog have a rocker clutch and stick shift on the tank?

Until 1953 , all Harleys were foot clutch/hand shift.

Hand clutch/foot shift became an option in 1952-53 and slowly became standard. Ya could still get a foot clutch/hand shift as late as 1978 on special order.

Harley offers a limited paint scheme for police bikes.

Local Police Chief told me the standardized B&W scheme on cars has something to do with recommendations(?) from the DOJ.

[Straightshooter2]

Forest Park, Lake City and Morrow, GA are three cities that clump together just south of Atlanta. Forest Park has champagne colored Tahoes and Chargers, Lake City has navy blue Fords (I think still all Fords) and Morrow has Fords along with some new Chargers...all with the LAPD type Black and White. By the way, if you need to find a police officer in any of these three cities, simply go over the speed limit. You will find one REAL FAST.

CW

[old bear]

"hat squad" in Atlanta? Veteran homicide detectives do, or did, wear fedoras as a mark of their unit. Sort of a "uniform."
Reply With Quote

Members of the Atlanta P.D. homicide division often ware hats, it sort of an informal uniform tradition with them. I also understand that most of the hats are rather expensive and hat boxes in their squad room are common.