When weather does not permit and patrol cars cannot fit, police departments must rely on specialty vehicles to get the job done. However, that solution was not always an option.

Several years ago, agencies would often be forced to continue an operation on foot because off-road utility vehicles were not readily available, which could be physically taxing on the officers. Some agencies were able to improvise by using existing vehicles; however, they often proved inadequate. Fishing boats, for example, were used for water missions, but because they were not purpose-built for tactical operations, police often deboarded the boats wet and ill-prepared.

“Technology advancements provide tactical teams with resources and tools that weren’t previously available,” said Terradyne Sales Manager Lucus Witzke.¹ Specialty vehicles run the gamut from boats to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), allowing officers to do their job more effectively and safely than ever before.

Specialty Vehicle Types

Whether they are used for events, crowd control, disaster relief, search and rescue, or community engagement, specialty vehicles come in various forms that can be tailored to the operation at hand. “[Police officers have] started to realize that they need to find a specialty vehicle that is built specifically for what they’re looking for,” said Matthew Velluto, vice president of sales and marketing at RIBCRAFT.² Because they come in various forms, these vehicles have extended police operations in environments where they could not work effectively before.

Off-Road Vehicles

Polaris off-road vehicles provide access to areas otherwise accessible only by foot, improving response time and reach. A dedicated division of the powersports powerhouse, Polaris Government and Defense was established to support police departments and other public safety agencies with custom vehicle solutions; direct purchasing channels; and parts, service, and training support. This is shown through the company’s RANGER and GENERAL units.

The RANGER unit provides professional, squad-car type capabilities in a nimble off-road and urban mobility vehicle. It comes complete with the same sirens, horns, public announcement system, and emergency lighting that a squad car may have.³ Designed for comfortable and efficient operations in all climates, the RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar offers a full cab and air conditioning and heating for passenger comfort. This model is available in three- and six-passenger options.

On-board RIDE COMMAND technology (which is available in the Ultimate trim package) provides sophisticated GPS navigation for connected driving and vehicle telematics. The Premium package provides a complete solution for patrol and response with an emergency light kit, 100W siren and PA system, custom graphics, and side mirrors.

The GENERAL unit comes response-ready with the new emergency light kit with infrared and blackout capabilities. Equipped atop a four-seat GENERAL XP 4 1000 utility vehicle, the rugged light kit made its debut at the 2023 IACP Annual Conference and Exposition. The latest light kit includes a 50-inch tactical light bar, 35-inch lightbar, and integral emergency lights around the vehicle body, providing a full 360-degree package with different color options. The infrared and blackout options provide officers discretion when needed. The light kit also features a 100W siren speaker and digital control panel for efficient communication.

The GENERAL XP 1000 comes in two- and four-seat models. With a 100-horsepower engine, the model has a 1,100-pound payload capacity and the ability to tow 1,500 pounds. PriorityStart automatically disconnects the battery when low voltage is detected, aiding in vehicle restart when needed. An onboard plug-in keeps the battery fully charged when not in use, so that it remains response ready.⁴

With the introduction of the all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic, agencies can meet not only operational needs but also state and federal environmental and sustainability goals.

Armored Vehicles

While armored vehicles may be most expected in a high-risk situation, such as mass unrest or an active shooter, they can also serve police in an off-road capacity during rescue efforts.

Terradyne Armored Vehicles was incorporated in 2011 in Canada and has become a big name in armored rescue vehicle manufacturers. In service around the world, Terradyne vehicles offer the highest in-class ballistic resistance protection. “We are one of the few in-class manufacturers to successfully complete full vehicle destructive ballistic and blast testing,” said Witzke.⁵

Terradyne is home to the GURKHA line-up of tactical armored vehicles, which come in three variants: light armored patrol vehicle, multipurpose vehicle (MPV), and rapid patrol vehicle. These are also based on the Ford F550 4×4 chassis. The MPV, in particular, has a six-speed automatic transmission with a 6.7-liter V8 turbo diesel engine. Tire speed is rated at 81 miles per hour.

The GURKHA’s high-ground clearance, off-road capability, and hardened exterior allow the vehicle to be utilized during natural or human-made disasters or other occasions where rapid deployment is required.

Boats

While Polaris and Terradyne allow officers to explore more areas on land, RIBCRAFT provides water access. For 22 years, RIBCRAFT has been known for providing the police, first responder, and military professions with rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). The RIBs can be operated in rough water because the deep V-shaped hull slices through the waves and provides a smoother entry. Several boats have this type of hull, but what differs RIBs from traditional fiberglass or aluminum boats is their wraparound inflatable tube. Because it acts as a giant stabilizer, the tube keeps the boat from rocking side to side and allows it to stay flat. There are also less concerns about taking on water or getting wet since the spray comes up off the hull and gets deflected by the tube.

Each boat the company builds for police departments is essentially built to order, allowing for customization. “We provide a mechanism so that they can essentially maintain their mission requirements without having to adjust them around them boat,” Velluto said.⁶ With 10 models that range in size from 14 feet to 41 feet, RIBCRAFT RIBs can be deployed on lakes, rivers, and the ocean. “Any kind of operation that needs to be on the water, we provide that ability to complete that mission.”

One of the most popular models for police operations is the RIBCRAFT 5.85. Its popularity stems from its size and versatility. It can be easily operated by one officer, but it can accommodate two. The 19-foot RIB can be deployed in small bodies of water but is large enough to remain functional in large bodies of water as well. The 5.85 can be easily put on a trailer so that it is deployable when needed.

The popular model can be configured in two different ways. The first is the more traditional way, complete with a center console, communication equipment, weapons storage, and more. The second version features a rescue console, which places the console and operator near the front of the boat. This setup works well for tactical missions or dive operations because the back can be used to transport more individuals.

Conclusion

No matter the mission and no matter the place, police must have the capability to get where they are needed. “At the end of the day, a specialty vehicle is a tool that allows [police] to effectively do their job no matter the environment that they’re in,” said Velluto.⁷

It is important that police leaders look at what’s available, so that they have the appropriate vehicles in their fleet to keep their officers productive and safe.d

Notes:

¹Lucus Witzke (sales manager, Terradyne Armored Vehicles), email interview, January 29, 2024.

²Matthew Velluto (vice president of sales/marketing, RIBCRAFT), telephone interview, January 18, 2024.

³Scott Sikkink (government solutions manager, Polaris Government and Defense), email interview, January 26, 2024.

⁴Sikkink, email interview.

⁵Witzke, email interview.

⁶Velluto, telephone interview.

⁷Velluto, telephone interview.

Please cite as

“A Vehicle for Every Environment,” Product Feature, Police Chief 91, no. 3 (March 2024): 54–56.