Sheriff Ted Paxton saw the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) several times last year and was sufficiently impressed to be among GM’s early law enforcement customers for the new Caprice. The PPVs began patrol in Forsyth County, GA. in May. Now with the first month’s duty under it’s belt, the sheriff’s office plans to replace its current fleet of almost 175 other patrol vehicles with Caprice PPVs.

Paxton isn’t alone as an early adopter of the Caprice PPV. Dennis Hogan, Fleet Services manager in Cedar Rapids, also pulled the trigger. “We view the police vehicle as an extended office for our officers,” Hogan said. “We chose the Caprice, because it delivers optimal officer operational space, trunk and storage space, and generally provides our officers the most-suitable operating environment.”

Police agencies across the country told Chevrolet they need a powerful rear-wheel-drive vehicle that offers performance, safety and comfort and the division responded with specially-designed front seats. sculpted to allow space for gun belts. Touches like this provide officers the comfort they need during their long hours in their mobile office.

Other PPV unique features include a front-seat-only head curtain air bag that leaves room for the installation of a full-width prisoner partition,.and a unique “police performance” version of the Electronic Stability Control system for high-speed driving.

“With its emphasis on the ergonomically designed seats for officer comfort, and enhanced safety features, the Caprice is a vehicle that is made for police work,” said Paxton. “We’ve had our vehicles for a month, and we’re sold. This will be a worthwhile investment.”