The Lincoln Police Department maintains a fleet over 250 vehicles - 145 marked police cars, 55 unmarked cars, and a number of support vehicles. The department also operates 24 bicycles used for patrol functions. Each year, about 175,000 gallons of fuel are used to drive over 2,000,000 miles for all vehicles in our fleet.
Police patrol vehicles are purchased with additional features called a "police package". This includes heavier suspension, cooling system, alternator/wiring, and engine components. This increases the durability and longevity for vehicles used under adverse conditions. All new patrol vehicles come with both driver and front passenger air-bags.
Almost all patrol cars are assigned to more than one officer. Each officer must check the vehicle out prior to their shift and then return it to the police garage, or their team station, upon conclusion of their duties. Officers carry a variety of both department issued, and personally owned equipment in their vehicles to assist them in their jobs.
During the late 1970's, 80's and 90's, several different light bar styles were used including the Jet-sonic and Jet-Stream which used alternating red and white rotating lights. In the early 90's, blue lights were also added to the light bars. In 1998, the department adopted the Federal Vista, which includes intersection clearing lights and strobe lights in addition to rotating halogen lamps.
With the valuable assistance of Clair Lindquist and Dave Thurber, we have compiled a listing of Lincoln Police Department vehicles, with images and bits of related history.
1967 Cushman Parking Enforcement Vehicles
1970 Chevy Step-Van
Used for transport and evidence collection
1971 Bell 47-G Helicopter
Used until 1975
1976 Beechcraft Motor Home
Used as a Community Services vehicle
1986 Chevy Citation
Two purchased for parking enforcement
1993-1995 Geo Trackers
Five purchased for parking enforcement
1995 Cushman
Used to collect money from parking meters
1996 Dodge 'DARE' Van
Driven by members of the Community Services Unit
1996 - 2000
Detective vehicles were repainted for use as parking enforcement vehicles (Ford Taurus, Pontiac 6000, Grand Am, etc.) Parking enforcement vehicles retained the blue & white paint scheme from 1977-96.
1998 Ford SWAT Bus
2002 Toyota Prius
Parking Enforcement vehicle with gas-electric hybrid engine that could travel up to 615 miles on a tank of gas.
1960 Harley Davidson 3-wheel Servicar
1964 Chevy Biscayne Station Wagon
1967 Plymouth Fury Station Wagon
1975 Dodge Ram Charger
1981 International Scout
1983 Chevy Malibu Station Wagon
1985 Ford Ranger Truck
1991 Ford Explorer
1992 Chevy Blazer
1996 Ford Explorer
2000 Ford Explorer
At the time of this summary, this is the earliest known photo of LPD's motorized equipment. This is the Department personnel photo taken at 11th and "P" Street around 1916-1919. This was during James Malone's second term as Chief. The equipment shown would be a 1916 Indian motorcycle (L) and a 1914 Henderson Motorcycle (R). On the right side behind the Henderson motorcycle is a truck with a wire cage cargo box. It is believed to be a 1917-19 Ford Model T with a screen side delivery body. Several manufacturing companies made special vehicle bodies that could be mounted on a Model T chassis. In 1917, Ford made their first 1 ton truck for commercial buyers.
1921 Dodge Patrol Wagon
1920
A photo of the new Harley Davidson motorcycle (center) is taken in front of the station with LPD officers. The new motorcycle was designated as #59 and is flanked by two older Harleys with Major Gross sitting on the motorcycle to the right. There is no specific information on the purchase of the other motorcycles. The purchase price for motorcycle #59 was $390.00.
1923 (estimated)
Based on available vehicle features, a best estimate of these vehicles would be as viewed from left to right:
Chief Johnstone: 1918 Studebaker Touring car
Major Gross: Indian Motorcycle and Henderson Motorcycle
Curtis Roper: 1917-19 Model T with a screen side delivery body
Leon Towle: 1922-23 Model T car
Paul Shively: 1917-22 Model T car
1930 Chrysler
Ford Model A
1933 Ford
1933 Fords
The photo on the left is Vehicle 87 which was used in a pursuit on April 2, 1934. Broken glass on the running board is from shots fired at and striking the windshield. The photo on the left is Vehicle 23 which was used by the accident investigation squad. The 1934 Department personnel roster shows the vehicle was used by 1 Brake / Light Officer and 1 Plainclothesman / Photographer.
1946
These three surplus military jeeps were purchased for $2,250.00 in 1946. The exterior was repainted, but the interior remained the military olive drab color. They were typically used by motorcycle officers when the weather was too dangerous to ride the motorcycles. Their vehicle numbers were #15, 16, and 17. The jeeps were used until they were traded in as part of the purchase of 7 new 1950 Ford cruisers.
1946 Ford
Black vehicles had a white stripe added to both sides - front and back - meeting in front.
"POLICE" was added to the roof and "LINCOLN POLICE" on the doors.
1949 Ford
1956
Five new Ford cruisers were purchased in 1955/56. All Ford model lines were changed over by 1956 to a 12 volt electrical system.
This helped the dependability of the cruisers due to added electrical demands of the radio, siren, and overhead rotating light.
1951 Ford Customs
1954 Chevy
Cruisers parked at headquarters 1958
1960 Plymouth
1962 Chevy
1967 Police Headquarters
1968 Plymouth
1969 Chevy
1972 Plymouth
1976 Dodge
1977 Ford
1980 Chevy Malibu
1981 Dodge Diplomat
1982 Chrysler K Car
1983 Police Headquarters
1986 Ford Crown Victoria
1990 Chevy Caprice
1990 Ford Taurus
1993 Crown Victoria
1996 Crown Victoria
In 1996, the blue and white paint was replaced with all white cars fashioned with a reflective
blue side stripe and new "LINCOLN POLICE" door lettering.
1998 Chevy Tahoe
1999 Crown Victoria with Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
Headquarters with 2001 Cruisers
2002 Crown Victoria
2003 Ford Expedition | Traffic Enforcement Vehicle
2005 Ford Expedition | Duty Command Vehicle
2007 Ford Crown Victoria
2008 Chevy Tahoe K1500
>
2009 Dodge Charger and Chevy Impala
2010 Dodge Charger
In 2009, University of Nebraska Professor Ron Bartels provided his Advanced Graphic Design class with a semester project.
Students presented their portfolios with updated Lincoln Police Department logos and cruiser graphics. Afterward, the department
conducted an internal poll and asked employees to share their opinions. Ultimately, Aaron Jarzynka's clean, modern design was selected.
In 2010, the new cruisers were outfitted with the new black and white graphic which added
the words "Leadership, Performance, Dedication" to the vehicle sides.