Saanich police chief defends current model of police car, Oak Bay proves more experimental

Saanich police wants to replace its aging sedans with the same model of car but Saanich council would prefer a fuel efficient model.

On Monday, councillors were asked to approved a tender by Metro Motors to provide seven new patrol cars for $232,461.

"These cars are on the road for a great deal of time," pointed out Coun. Vic Derman. While fuel-efficient cars are often more expensive, the cost recovery time is short, Derman said.

Coun. Leif Weregland asked finance director Paul Murray to research police-car purchases in other jurisdictions before council approves the expense.

But Saanich police chief Derek Egan defended the need for consistency.

"When officers are moving from one vehicle to another vehicle ... the equipment is located in the same place," said Egan in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Consistency also allows the force to save money be reusing equipment, Egan added. Features such as light bars and prisoner security packages can be removed from old cars and fitted into new cars, if the specs are the same, he explained.

Finally, the current model of sedan, the Crown Victoria, has heavy duty brakes and transmission needed for emergency response, Egan said.

Over in Oak Bay, however, police are willing to give hybrids a try.

On Monday night, Oak Bay council considered a request for two new police vehicles, with one request for a hybrid.

"That's the direction the board wants to go," said Oak Bay deputy chief Kent Thom about the Ford Escape hybrid the department wants to add to its fleet.

"There are other police agencies in North America that have used it as a frontline vehicle and we've received very good reports on them," Thom said. "One specific report is Ogden City, Utah that uses a Ford Escape and they say they've had it for three vehicles and it's been their strongest performer, their best police vehicle they have in their fleet."

- With files from Kerrie-Ann Shoenit

rholmen@saanichnews.com