In my area departments have specialized cars for different jobs. Take mine for example we use SUV's for K-9 units to provide the dogs more room. We use Crown Vic's for regular patrol duties and we have two Dodge Chargers for pursuits. The cars are assigned by what your aptitude is and how you can use the car best. Take my unmarked Tahoe for example, I'm usually not going out on calls due to being a sergeant and supervisor, so I usually do traffic stops in the meantime. Hence my having an unmarked unit for traffic stops. However this may be different for all departments, I would recommend calling them on a non emergency number and asking to speak to a public affairs officer to find out more information.How are cars assigned to a cop?
They are not just cars. They are all specially produced for police work. The Dodge Charger YOU would buy is different then the one the police would buy and the same with the other models you mention. Standard production model cars have standard engines and transmissions. Those made for police use have more hearty componants, specifically the engines, transmissions and suspensions to allow for longer and harder use that the police put them through. That is why the average person would buy a Crown Vic but the ones the police have also have the "Interceptor" plate on them to show they were made for police work.
Now, more to the subject of your question, the cars used for police work are purchased because those manufacturers made those cars to a more heavy duty standard for police work. A department will buy which ever of those models, in any given year, that they can get the best deal on. That means that over the years the department ends up with an assortment of different vehicles unless they have a departmental standard to only buy Crown Vics or one of the others to keep maintenance simple.
Specialized units within the department may still require, and get, different vehicles. For example K9 officers may have SUVs of some sort, as would ERT/SWAT while Forensic Ident may have larger "bread truck" type vehicles and Community Relations may have more "novelty" type vehicles for PR use.
The names you mention, from year to year, are pretty much the main suppliers of police vehicles. In my area the Caprice and Impala of recent years are not normally viewed as being to standard so we tend to use mostly Crown Vics with Chargers also but only more recently. I remember years ago a number of departments were even using Liminas but that only lasted a couple of years. Even Volvo tried to get into the North American police car market back in the early 90s but that didn't last.How are cars assigned to a cop?
The city buys the cars they want. Usually what they get the best deal on but there is also politics involved. For example Chicago, which uses well over 900 cars, just ordered 300 Fords particularly because the Ford plant that make the police interceptor is in Chicago.
do you really expect even your local departments to change all the cars at the same time?
You get a car that is assigned to your beat. The assignment is made by the commander or watch commander. Have nothing to do with the officer, etc. if the car is for patrol.
Yes there are special vehicles for such people as K9 handlers, detectives and others.
Usually the city council gets contracts to buy the cars. So, it might be they just need a new car at the time and whoever gave the lowest bid for it.
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