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Old 11-10-2016, 02:53 AM
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Wolfe1013 Wolfe1013 is offline
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The BOSS is Back...and Working for the Wyoming Highway Patrol

by Patrolman Steve Steiner

A new era for the Wyoming Highway Patrol began on Monday, May 23, 1988. On that day, the first six Ford Mustang patrol cars were issued to Patrolmen, and they began training to use them.

The Mustang is not new to highway patrol work. A specially prepared Mustang has been offered by Ford Motor Company for a few years now, and has been used by several highway patrols across the country. The concept is simple. A lighter, physically smaller car is able to accelerate more quickly, reach a higher top speed, and generally handles better than a larger, heavier car, given the current limitations placed on police engines by federal emissions and CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirements. The Ford Motor Company took the baseline LX version of the Mustang, added appropriate handling and other parts to make the vehicle suitable for police work, and began selling the concept. One added benefit in the present climate of austere governmental budgets is the price for such a car, which is considerably lower than full-size vehicles.

Three days of training were given to those officers selected to receive the cars, as it was felt that the Patrol’s current EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) training might not be sufficient to provide the required safety margin, given the enhanced performance potential of the Mustangs. The first day was a familiarization drive across Wyoming on Interstate 80, from Cheyenne to Evanston. The new Mustangs were quite a different sight for motorists on Wyoming’s stretch of I-80. Many motorists and passengers greeted us with thumbs-up signs of approval. The cars certainly are attention-grabbing.

At Evanston, we were met by Utah Highway Patrol Sergeant Dennis M. Bringhurst and two other Utah Troopers. Since they were already familiar with the Mustangs through their assignment to them by the Utah Highway Patrol and the State of Utah, the Utah Troopers generously offered their services as EVOC training instructors. The first day of training was conducted in the classroom. Characteristics unique to the Mustang were discussed, along with specific handling techniques and cautions. The following day was spent on the Evanston Municipal Airport runway, where the cars and drivers were repeatedly put through their paces. The course was, in many respects, similar to the type of EVOC every officer goes through. The differences were in the tightness of the lanes for the various maneuvers, and the higher speeds at which they were accomplished. One additional area was the precision backing techniques involved. These also served to make the driver acutely aware of his vehicle and its reaction to every driving mode.

One aspect of the Mustang is quite different from other vehicles used by the Wyoming Highway Patrol – the Mustang has a 5-speed manual transmission. This difference requires more specialized techniques to use the car as a Patrol vehicle, in order to ensure safety and to protect the vehicle from unnecessary wear. Once one is properly aware of the clutch-transmission-parking brake relationship, stops can be accomplished with the smoothness and safety of a car with an automatic transmission. Talking on the radio does sometimes require timing the radio transmission with the vehicle transmission’s need for a right hand to shift. Overall, the pleasure of driving the vehicle with the smooth 5-speed, and the way overall performance is enhanced, outweighs any minor inconveniences learning the techniques.

One of the major concerns about the Mustang was what the smaller trunk and minimal rear seat would allow in the form of equipment to be carried. Storage limitations will probably exclude this type of vehicle from general use by the equipment-burdened motor carrier officers. Other than that, general patrol requirements for equipment can probably be met. A first aid kit, accident investigation kit, fire extinguisher, ammunition, blankets, shovel, commercial vehicle permits, and other such necessities fit nicely. A couple of “nice-to-have” items that had to be eliminated due to size were the “Wreck Ahead” sign and traffic cones. Patrolman Peterson has loaned me some of his own 6” cones, which do fit, to see if they will work.

Some of the standard equipment from larger patrol cars is being used on the new Mustangs. The standard Kustom Signals radar works, but different mounting systems have had to be devised to accommodate the Mustang’s almost total lack of any flat dashboard surface except right in front of the driver.

The light bar is a new Jetsonic mini bar, similar in exterior appearance to those used on many of the full-sized cars. It is also different in that it has two takedown lights, instead of the standard single takedown unit.

Also new for the Mustang is a Motorola radio unit that has a very small, programmable, digital display head for both the radio and Siren/Public Address functions. This new state-of-the-art radio is not only smaller than others in use by the Patrol, but is also easier to use and has other available options.

At the present time the Patrol staff is considering a recommendation made by the current Mustang drivers, that a seatcover with built-in shotgun scabbard be purchased for the rear seat of the cars. Presently the shotgun is being carried in front of the rear seat, in a manner similar to that used by many of the full-sized cars.

General public reaction to the new cars has been, in a word, “Great.” Everyone who sees the car likes its appearance, and, except for one multiple speed violator who would probably rather see us on bicycles, everyone thinks it is great that we have the really fast cars, just in case we need them.

In addition to the obvious actual and psychological benefits of having really quick, fast, tight-handling cars, other benefits also are provided by the Mustangs. Despite their high-performance nature (fuel injection, tuned exhaust headers, etc.) the Mustangs get good fuel economy, and they don’t appear to be a problem for two reasons. First, although the front end is low, it is not a lot lower than other patrol cars. The continental style of a long hood and really short trunk also keeps rear overhang to a minimum. Since that is often the part that hangs up crossing a median, the problem is minimized. Secondly, since the Mustangs have great acceleration and top-end speed, one doesn’t have the sense of urgency turning on speeders and other violators that can exist with some other types of patrol cars. This results in slower, possibly more cautious median crossings.

As a final bonus, the equipment and enthusiast-type styling of a Patrol Mustang will no doubt provide a higher trade-in value, possibly saving the State even more money in the long run.

At the time of this writing I have had occasion to arrest several people, and transport them in the Mustang. It was no more of a problem than with a full-size car. Obviously, we may encounter problems when more than one person is arrested at a time, or when we have to transport several people that may have been involved in an accident.

Initial personal impressions of the Mustang are all positive. It looks good, has plenty performance potential, and is a very comfortable car to work in. Once the entry and exit techniques are mastered, it really doesn’t take any longer to get into or out of the Mustang than it does some of the full-sized cars. Naturally, one has to be apprehensive about operation during Wyoming’s infamous winters, but overall I think the cars will prove quite worthy, and a welcome addition to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Shared with permission from Patrolman Steiner.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg WHP3.jpg (60.0 KB, 185 views)
__________________
1982 CHP Mustang Coupe, Unit # E870567 **SOLD to chp1982**
1988 Mustang 5.0 LX, Unit # HP 43 (Wyoming Highway Patrol)
1991 Ford Crown Victoria S (Brentwood, CA Police Dept/Cinema Vehicle Svcs)
1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS B4C, Unit # 360 (Colorado State Patrol) **SOLD BACK TO CSP**
1996 Bronco XL 5.8L (California Highway Patrol)

Last edited by Wolfe1013; 11-10-2016 at 02:55 AM. Reason: add photo
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