Two new police SUVs added to NPD fleet

Two new police vehicles will be added to the fleet of the Newton Police Department. The 2018 Ford Police Interceptor SUVs were approved by the Newton City Council on Monday for $70,000.

The new vehicles will replace two 2014 Ford SUVs that have reached the end of their operational life for daily patrol operations and require a higher level of maintenance. Along with the vehicles, up-fit services to install emergency equipment is also included in the total cost.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said it is important to keep the department’s fleet in good working order with the amount of wear and tear the vehicles sustain during daily use.

“These vehicles have been around four years, we typically keep them for three years so the mileage is nearing about 100,000. They are a little bit older than they should be,” Burdess said. “There is safety issues as you have older vehicles that run 24/7. We need to make sure we get them upgraded for the safety of the officers and the public when we are responding to calls.”

The two vehicles, without up-fit services, will be purchased from Stivers Ford Des Moines for $54,600, the lowest bid received. Also submitting bids for the purchase were Chales Gabus Ford of Des Moines at $56,986, Steve Link Ford of Grinnell at $58,000 and Noble Ford of Newton at $59,386.

City council approved a $15,400 bid from Karl Chevrolet Emergency Vehicles of Ankeny for the purchase, transfer and installation of emergency equipment for the new patrol vehicles. Some equipment from will be moved from the older models as it is still usable on the new equipment.

“Several pieces of new equipment will also need to be installed due to items being outdated or not compatible with the SUV models,” city administrator Matt Muckler said. “Karl Chevrolet has a long-term relationship with the police department and currently maintains all of the department’s emergency equipment.”

The two decommissioned vehicles will be kept by the department for use by investigators or non-sworn staff. The department will trade-in, auction off or give to another city department two old police vehicles including a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2004 Chevrolet K1500 Tahoe.

The vehicles are expected to be delivered 12 to 14 weeks after the order is placed. Funds to pay for the new vehicles will come from 2018 bond.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com