The Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
“Preserving the History of Law Enforcement in the Greater Cincinnati Area”
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI POLICE MUSEUM
In 1998, the average cost of a police vehicle was approximately $30k. This was a significant expense for most police departments, who had to budget for these vehicles in order to maintain a reliable fleet. However, over the past 25 years the cost of a police vehicle has increased significantly. In 2023, the average cost of a police vehicle is expected to be a total of $85k – $100k.
The primary factor driving up the cost of police vehicles is the increased demand for safety features. In 1998, police vehicles were only equipped with basic safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, and anti-lock brakes. Today, however, police vehicles are expected to have a variety of advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The cost of these features can add up quickly, driving up the overall cost of the basic vehicle. Adding on the specialized police equipment costs up to an additional $40k to be added on to the base model. These items may include:
- Safety Equipment/Fire Extinguisher
- Mobile and Portable Two-Way Radio
- Laptop/ In-Vehicle Router
- Light Bar/External Lights
- Cargo Storage
- Radar Gun
- Electronic Ticketing
- PIT Bumpers
- Automatic License Plate Reader
- Antennas
- Video Camera
In conclusion, the average cost of a police vehicle has increased significantly over the past 25 years. The primary factors driving up the cost of police vehicles are the increased demand for safety features, inflation, and the increased demand for specialized vehicles.
Stay safe in 2023!
THE GREATER CINCINNATI POLICE MUSEUM
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