PORT ANGELES — The last State Patrol Crown Victoria Police Interceptor order has been outfitted and put into service, representing the beginning of the end for one of the most recognized models of police cars.
Of the state’s final order of 20 Crown Victorias, two were assigned to troopers in the Port Angeles detachment, which is the central office for most of the North Olympic Peninsula.
“I’ve had Crown Victorias for years,” said Trooper Allen Nelson, who is based in Port Angeles.
Nelson extolled the Crown Victoria’s virtues: “It’s a durable vehicle, comfortable, has good safety features, and Ford offered a good warranty.”
Nelson’s only complaint was its lack of speed.
Ford, however, has ceased production of the Interceptor, which had been made since 1992.
Nelson said he had the chance to test-drive one of the new Chevrolet Caprices, a brand-new, custom-built police model that will replace the Crown Victoria in the State Patrol’s fleet.
The Caprice is a good car, he said, that has many of the best features that were in the Ford.
Yet he declined one of the new cars when it was time to replace his patrol vehicle.
“I wanted one last Ford Crown Vic,” he said.
Nelson received it in March after the state finished outfitting it with all of the “extras” that go into a police car — including electronics, a separator between the front and back seats, light bars, strobes and spotlights.
Most State Patrol vehicles are heavily used and are retired when they reach between 110,000 and 140,000 miles, Allen said.
Assuming there is no damage from a wreck or other incident, the lifespan of a Crown Victoria on the North Olympic Peninsula is about 31/2 years, Nelson said.
The cars can last up to five years in locations where they spend less time on the road, said Dan Coon, spokesman for the State Patrol.
In about five years, the last remaining Crown Victoria will be sold, probably to another law enforcement agency, for about $8,000 to $10,000, Coon said.
When a patrol car is sold, the extras on it — including the light bars and electronics — are recycled and reused on new cars, he said.
The Crown Vic model is so beloved by troopers that when that final car was ready for service, the State Patrol held a small ceremony to mark the occasion at the end of June in Olympic.
“We understand the affection that an old-time sheriff might have had for their horse,” said Assistant Chief James Lever.
“We’ve been through a lot with these cars, and they’ve never failed us.”
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
