The car will be used by the department for community events.
Even if the car is not practical, any vehicle can be used as a police vehicle. Dubai is known for its supercar police fleet, which includes Lamborghini, Bugatti, as well as other exotic cars. The US police department is a little more conservative, choosing Dodge Chargers or Ford Explorers. However, every now and again, a department adds something extra to the fleet. This is one thing that a Florida Sheriff’s Department did recently.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office added a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vehicle to its fleet. The coupe received a new wrap and upgraded light packages from the sheriff’s department. The grille, windshield, front fender vents and side sills are lit by police lights. The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation provided funding for the lighting and wrap.
The Chevrolet didn’t cost taxpayers money. According to the police department, it was taken from a felony suspect. The controversial civil asset forfeiture allows police to seize vehicles and other property without the need for a conviction.
The Corvette Z06 will increase the horsepower of the department’s fleet. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produces 650 horsepower (479 Kilowatts) as well as 650 pound-feet (881 Newton meters) of torque. The engine transmits power to the rear wheels and the coupe can reach speeds of 205 mph (329 km/h). It’s not the best vehicle to transport suspects to jail, or for police pursuits.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t need the car as a patrol vehicle. The car will be used by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for engagement and community events, as other departments in the country and around the globe have done. A Ferrari 458 Spider was confiscated by Milan police from an Italian mobster in 2018. It was used to demonstrate that crime does not pay.