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John L. Bellah

Articlesby John L. BellahApril 1, 2003

Cutting Out the Chase

If you want to know all the arguments for and against police pursuits, all you have to do is look at a recent case that culminated in a fatal accident on Georgia 54 just outside of Atlanta.

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Articlesby John L. BellahApril 1, 2003

How to Conduct a High-Speed Pursuit

As you wait at the intersection a woman zooms past you, running the red light going 50 mph, 25 miles over the speed limit. Should you drive after her?

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Articlesby John L. BellahDecember 1, 2002

2003 Michigan Vehicle Tests

Each fall the big three of U.S. police car makers turn their latest models over to test drivers from the Michigan State Police for comprehensive evaluations at the DaimlerChrysler proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich., and timed laps at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich.

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Articlesby John L. BellahDecember 1, 2002

Beating the Power Crunch

Electrical demands are a major concern with law enforcement vehicles. This was true with early police vehicles when lighting, electro-mechanical "growler" sirens, and two-way radios severely taxed automotive electrical systems, and it's true today when high-tech lightbars, mobile data terminals, video cameras, and other power-hungry gadgets have become standard equipment.

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Articlesby John L. BellahDecember 1, 2002

Office Space

"I don't believe it! There's actually room in these cars! Why, I can sit here; I can put my briefcase next to me, and I even have room for my partner!" That's what my partner exclaimed at the end of a shift back in the early '80s. That old Malibu was positively empty compared to modern patrol units.

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Articlesby John L. BellahFebruary 2, 2002

Performance Review--Road Testing the 2002 Cop Cars

No one other than a patrol officer is better able to understand the vital role of a police vehicle in today's law enforcement. The wrong vehicle can affect officer morale, reduce efficiency and increase a department's operating costs appreciably.

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