For years the RCMP rode atop its trusted steed, the only tools were his saddle and sidearm.
This was replaced by the almost as dependable Crown Victoria, Caprice or Impala with a radio and a red light.
Today the modern officer is surrounded by the tools and technology needed for an officer to do his job efficiently and effectively.
The Drumheller RCMP Detachment just took delivery of the newest RCMP Police Interceptor. This is their second, currently they have a new unmarked and a marked car in its fleet.
The new Interceptor is based on a Ford Taurus platform, and it is quite a departure from the Interceptors of days gone by.
Corporal Kevin Charles explains the last Crown Victoria rolled off the assembly line in Canada in September of 2011. Other major car manufacturers have also moved away from body-on-frame rear wheel drive full-sized sedans.
The need for newer police cars never went away and the major manufacturers have stepped up with the new breed of cars ready to perform under pressure.
The new Interceptor comes standard with all wheel drive, and while the power plant is a V6, its output numbers dwarf the standard V8 that came in the older Crown Victorias.
Corporal Charles says the biggest difference he is hearing from officers who have used the new style cruisers are that they handle much better with all wheel drive on tricky terrain as well as in the winter. The cars are similar in size to the older model, although there might not be as much foot room in the back. When all the technology is installed, it makes for a tight fit.
The Interceptors are shipped from the factory to Edmonton where the cars are outfitted with all the needs for the modern officer.
The standard cruiser comes with a mobile workstation (MWS) radio, emergency signals and all of the controls, radar, and cameras out the front of the vehicle and in the back seat. The cars also have the protective barriers between the front and back seats installed as well as the shotgun rack.
Charles says the technology has grown in recent years. In his 15-year career, it has only been within the last five years that he has seen the advent of computers and cameras installed. Today the cruiser is essentially a travelling office.
Currently the detachment has a fleet of six, including three marked cars, one unmarked car, a pick-up truck and a large SUV. Charles says the RCMP retires the cruisers after about 5 years or 180,000 kilometres. They expect their remaining Crown Victorias will be replaced in the near future.
