By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOS ANGELES — Agencies across the nation have been working to phase out their fleets of Ford Crown Victoria cruisers. But the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department still has hundreds, The Drive reported.
The LASD ensured they would continue to be one of the Crown Vic’s top buyers by purchasing a “stockpile” in 2011, the last year of production, according to the report. Of the 600 cars in that final purchase, 429 are still in use.
“The Crown Victoria is a rugged and durable platform that has held up great over the years,” Sergeant David M. Davis told The Drive. He noted that veteran deputies tended to prefer the Crown Vic, while deputies newer to the force opted for the Ford Police Interceptor Utility.
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The durability of the LASD’s Crown Vic fleet is partly due to the dry California climate, which keeps the cars free from rust. But the Crown Vic is still inching closer to its ultimate retirement, according to the report.
“The biggest maintenance challenge we have encountered is the growing obsolescence of some mechanical parts that are needed for repairs,” Davis said. “The cars vary in mileage which makes it hard to predict exactly how long they will remain in service. Parts availability will also be a factor in how much longer they remain in service.”