Monday, March 24, 2008

Chief Not Happy With Buying Impalas

ADAMS, Mass. — Selectman Edward MacDonald and Police Chief Donald Poirot faced off at the Selectmen's meeting over the future of the police department's fleet of cruisers — with MacDonald insisting on switching to the slightly cheaper and more fuel-efficient Chevrolet Impala and Poirot wanting to stick with the tried and tested Ford Crown Victoria.

By night's end, the board — with the exception of Joseph R. Dean Jr. who recused himself because his son is an Adams police officer — voted 2-1 to purchase two new Impalas for the department. Selectman Donald Sommer cast the "no" vote.

At the beginning of the meeting on Tuesday, Poirot explained to the board his reasons for wanting to stick with the Crown Victoria.

"I just want to stay with what's been proven through and through," he said. "I've never been called to task as far as what's being purchased for the town. We do it under state contract. I wish we would have had this discussion before I came before the board the last time."
Poirot had already been before the board weeks earlier to get approval for $50,000 for two new Crown Victorias as part of the standard cycle of new cruisers. The law enforcement trust fund would kick in an additional $20,000. The board initially approved the funds until it found out about the less expensive Chevy option.

The Selectmen had earlier thought there would be a $10,000 savings for each cruiser, but Poirot informed the board that the savings would be more akin to $3,000 for a V6 and $2,000 for a V8. He also said gas mileage in the Chevy was only three miles per gallon better.
MacDonald insisted that the Chevy was the obvious choice for the town which is already strapped for cash.

"I'm looking at what's in the best interest of the town," he said. "We have a major crisis the way the state is financing the town. If we don't look at every single penny, every single operational expense, then we're not doing our jobs.

"I talk to people that do this every single day, that are in pursuits, everything like that," MacDonald continued. "They all came back and said dollar for dollar, this was the best vehicle to buy. We buy a six-cylinder, do what we got to do for the town, it saves gas."
Poirot said he had done his own research and came to slightly different conclusions.

"I also talked to police officers, I've talked to chiefs of police," he said. "In fact, I had a meeting today and I naturally brought up this discussion and they told me they're putting in new transmissions and new front wheels ... "

"More people have died in a Ford than in a Chevy," MacDonald interrupted.
Poirot also explained that the differences when switching between the Ford and Chevy went beyond initial cost and gas mileage.

"What I take into consideration always is, naturally, the best interest of the town," the chief said.
Copyright 2008 The Berkshire Eagle

1 comment:

LIQ Enforcement said...

Interesting topic...

True, economy is tough and every penny is accounted for but when it comes to law enforcement we do need vehicles that can handle real police work, which means vehicles that are fast, powerful, safe, and comfortable. Now, 4 cylinder cars like in China, Mexico, and most of the Europe will not work, but 6 cylinder vehicle might.

Vancouver P.D (Washington State) has about 30 +/- Chevy Impalas and I asked several Officers if they are satisfied, and majority of the Officers said they are happy with Chevy Impalas. They are fast, reliable, comfortable vehicles.

Currently, I am driving 06 Taurus and believe it or not its a very economic vehicle. It does not have a powerful built in engine but it has some power.

so, Impalas may not be bad vehicles after all and WSP has several of them and believe me those guys are picky when it comes to driving a good vehicle.

well, hope Chief changes his mind.

good luck, LIQ Enforcement