Transcript Document

Tour of The
California Highway Patrol
Upfitting Shop and
EVOC Course Demonstration
September 12, 2013
California Highway Patrol Academy
Sacramento, CA
CHP Fleet Operations Section
Buys, equips, and distributes all motor vehicles
operated by the Department. This includes the
installation of specialized enforcement equipment.
Fleet Replacement Plan
The agency’s goal, budget permitting, is to
replace about a third of its 4,300-vehicle fleet
each year including:
• 2,300 patrol vehicles
• 430 motorcycles
• 140 all-terrain vehicles
Several years ago the department was faced
with making a decision to replace their legacy
fleet of Crown Victoria Police Interceptors
manufactured by Ford from 1992 – 2011.
New Ford Police Interceptor Utility
The CHP's vehicle acquisition process, though, seems a bit
convoluted. When the CHP decides to buy a new vehicle, it
informs the Department of General Services (DGS), which opens
a bidding process. DGS is responsible for accepting and vetting
the bids and awarding a contract.
To be considered in the first place, the vehicles must be pursuit
rated by a trusted agency, such as the Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Department or the Michigan State Police.
Manufacturers Specifications
Based on the Explorer SUV, Ford states
that the PI Utility is a purpose-built vehicle.
The vehicles are fitted with heavy duty
brake, cooling, and electrical systems to
cope with the rigors of police work.
CHP Requirements
The CHP requires that its vehicles hit 60 mph in
under 10 seconds and 100 mph in under 29
seconds. It also requires that a vehicle be able to
accelerate from 50 mph to 100 mph in less than 22
seconds, have a minimum top speed of 120 mph
and hit 120 mph from a standing start within two
miles.
The California Highway Patrol has
become the first law enforcement agency
in the state to use the new faster, smarter
and more fuel efficient Ford Police
Interceptor sports utility pursuit vehicle.
450 PI Utilities Received
1,000 More Requested
Each vehicle is pre-inspected from the factory
for quality control purposes and to assure all
vehicle specifications have been met.
Vehicles are stripped of all interior panels to
allow for installation of required equipment.
Parts are boxed up and set aside for reinstallation
later in the process.
The upfit assembly line has 7 work
stations.
Approximate build time is 22 hours per vehicle.
Shop output is 4-5 vehicles per day.
The California Highway Patrol Enhanced Radio System (CHPERS)
project was initiated to enhance statewide CHP radio
communications.
The CHPERS project meets the goal of providing
interoperability at the local, state, and federal levels.
CHPERS allows for improved communications from
dispatch to the patrol vehicle, as well as from the
vehicle directly to officers in the field.
Officers can now talk from San Diego to
Redding over their 2-way radios.
Radio speakers in the four doors broadcast four
different radio frequencies.
Exterior front PA speakers have been refurbished and
reused on CHP patrol vehicles for up to 3 decades.
Fine tuning the electronics.
Final fit & finish at the end of the line.
The finished product is out the
door and ready for service.
PIs Come In Multiple Flavors
In addition, the shop builds a
limited number of specialized
law enforcement vehicles for
other sections within the CHP
and allied agencies.
Motorcycle Upfitting Shop
CHP Adopts Harley-Davidson for
Highway Enforcement
The police Electra Glide cycles bear
many similarities to the civilian
versions, including the V-twin 103cc
engine, and have been upgraded for
police use.
Aging BMWs make up its current
fleet of enforcement
motorcycles.
The initial purchase order was for 120 Harley-Davidson
FLHTP Electra Glide motorcycles. 400 more will need to
be replaced.
The C.H.P. chose
the Electra Glide
because it has a
faring that
provides the
officer better
protection and
offers more real
estate to mount
speakers and other
police equipment.
The CHP is receiving five bikes per week
including 32 Electra Glides from modelyear 2013; the remainder will be modelyear 2014 cycles.
Stock cams for the
H-D's SE-255 are
changed out to
increase torque and
give it a bit more out
of the hole, more
horsepower, and
more top-end
speed.
The bikes also
include a robust
charging system,
heated hand
guards and
grips, and a
push-to-talk
system.
The Emergency Vehicle
Operations Course (EVOC) is
famous throughout the world as
the finest law enforcement
driver training program available.
The course consists of a 2.3-mile,
high-performance driving track,
two skid recovery practice areas
and a defensive driving course.
Additional riding facilities are
provided for the Motorcycle
Enforcement Training Course.
We were treated to a demonstration of some of the capabilities
of the Dodge Chargers powered by V8 Hemi engines. Four
lucky Fleet Supervisors got to go for a “Diagnostic Road Test”
with the Academy’s driving instructors.
The first of many 360’s.
We were told that this “Blue Angles”
type of demonstration was reserved for
special guests.
Each car made two laps clockwise and
counter clockwise each before parking in
front of the grandstands.
Hairpin Turn
There’s nothing like the smell of burning rubber
in the afternoon!
Bring It Home
Safely Parked
The
demonstration
wore out the
rear set of tires
on the vehicles.
“Powered” tire rubber on the pavement.
Prepared By:
Louk Markham
Fleet Operations Manager
County of Santa Clara
Facilities and Fleet