This article discusses issues in the procurement of law enforcement vehicles, including criteria for determining when to replace vehicles.
Under budget tightening, more and more law enforcement agencies are being forced into keeping fleet vehicles longer; therefore, the equipment sustains more mileage and wear and tear before being rotated out of fleets. When considering an appropriate time to rotate a vehicle out of service, agencies must address several matters. First, they must look at the bidding process. If agencies address the proper specifications, they should have little problem picking the best vehicle from the published performance testing. Second, when deciding which fleet vehicles are appropriate for their needs, agencies must examine their financial options. Some agencies have the capability to purchase their fleets while others have opted to lease. Third, once agencies receive their fleet of new vehicles, they must evaluate and project the economic life expectancy of the equipment. This happens during the vehicle life-cycling process and includes maintenance operating expense, down-time, and depreciation. Fourth, agencies must analyze the established requirements surrounding mileage restrictions and extended warranties. Finally, agencies must be attentive to litigation associated with the vehicles that compose their fleets. If vehicles are causing crashes, it is imperative that agencies make adjustments in their replacement policies. This article advises that increases in the speed limits on State and Federal highways causes additional wear and tear on police vehicles, such that law enforcement agencies should consider the replacement of a vehicle at a 70,000 to 75,000-mile level. 33 footnotes