Video: Detroit Pays $65K To Lease 2004 Police Car
The Detroit Police Department has been wildly overpaying for their unmarked undercover and surveillance cars—a mistake one expert estimates caused $4 million in waste.
The Detroit Police Department has been wildly overpaying for their unmarked undercover and surveillance cars—a mistake one expert estimates caused $4 million in waste, a WXYZ investigation found.
The department has been paying $600 or more in some cases to lease unmarked police cars. In one case, the department has been paying $608 to lease a 2004 Dodge Intrepid.
The high payments resulted because the department didn't return the vehicles before the expiration of the two-year leases. The department now has 110 cars on the road with expired leases of up to six years. The department has also been shouldering maintenance costs on the cars and paying a mileage overage cost of 15 cents per mile for fuel that kicks in once the cars cross the 60,000 miles permitted in the lease.
Read the full WXYZ report.
More Vehicle Ops
It’s an Ambush: How Ballistic Glass Redefines Patrol Vehicle Safety
Dana Safety Supply is setting a new standard for officer safety with windshields capable of withstanding multiple rounds and saving lives — and one Texas deputy is living proof.
Read More →
Dana Safety Supply’s BallisTech Vehicle Armoring Solutions
Dana Safety Supply is setting a new standard for officer safety with windshields capable of withstanding multiple rounds and saving lives.
Read More →
Ford Showcases 2028 Ford Expedition Police Responder
Ford showcased its 2028 Ford Expedition Police Responder, a full-size, pursuit-rated utility vehicle, at Police Fleet Expo this week. It comes standard with 4x4 and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque.
Read More →
Pickups on Patrol: Understanding the Vehicle Dynamics
Pickup trucks are not new to patrol duties, but with the debut of the 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle, they are getting larger and heavier. POLICE reached out to the Michigan State Police Precision Driving Unit to learn more about pickup truck handling, vehicle dynamics, and what officers need to know.
Read More →
RoadFlex Brings Fuel Tax Compliance & Audit-Ready Reporting to Government Fleets
RoadFlex now offers its capabilities to help public-sector fleets streamline fuel tax exemptions, reclamation, reconciliation, and audit-ready reporting.
Read More →
Rynse Awarded Cooperative Purchasing Contract, Expanding Nationwide Fleet Wash Access for Law Enforcement
Rynse has secured a 2026-2027 NCSA contract, giving law enforcement agencies nationwide fast-track access to its fleet wash network and management platform, which streamlines procurement, reduces administrative burdens, and helps fleets stay road-ready with greater oversight.
Read More →
Tenhold Introduces Suppressor Gun Rack System
Tenhold, formerly Jotto Desk, provides next-generation vehicle systems for law enforcement and public safety and recently debuted its Suppressor Lock Head for its Weapon Mounting system.
Read More →
Ram Debuts Pursuit-Capable 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle
The 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle is the first and only ¾-ton truck to complete the Michigan State Police vehicle trials, and Ram said it delivered outstanding performance in testing scenarios designed to replicate extreme real-world duty.
Read More →
Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Opens New Facility in New Jersey
LEHR’s new centralized upfitting facility in New Jersey consolidates operations to deliver faster turnaround times and enhanced fleet capacity for law enforcement agencies across the Northeast.
Read More →
North Carolina Sheriff’s Office Improves Fueling Reliability & Operational Control
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office overcame fuel management and accounting challenges by turning to RoadFlex to improve fueling reliability, visibility, and administrative control.
Read More →