POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford's F-150 Police Responder Quickest Vehicle at MSP, LASD Testing

America’s only pursuit-rated pickup truck, had the fastest 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph and quarter-mile times of any law enforcement vehicle, including SUVs and sedans.

June 29, 2021
Ford's F-150 Police Responder Quickest Vehicle at MSP, LASD Testing

 

The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder has scored the best acceleration of any pursuit-rated police vehicle tested at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department testing and the Michigan State Police testing.

America’s only pursuit-rated pickup truck, had the fastest 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph and quarter-mile times of any law enforcement vehicle, including SUVs and sedans.

Ad Loading...

“Vehicle acceleration and speed contribute to how quickly first responders can safely arrive at an emergency scene,” said Greg Ebel, Ford police vehicle brand manager. “Shaving even a few seconds off response times can make a big difference. Whether responding to an accident on the highway or a distress call from somewhere off-road, law enforcement officers can count on 2021 F-150 Police Responder to get them there fast.”

In Michigan State Police tests, preliminary results show 2021 F-150 Police Responder clocked a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. That's 1.2 seconds faster than the outgoing model and at least 0.4 seconds faster than any other vehicle tested. Its 0-100 mph time was 3.7 seconds faster than the 2020 model at 13.1 seconds and 0.8 seconds faster than the runner up. The agency also confirmed the new truck’s 120 mph top speed, a 15 mph increase over the previous model.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tests showed 2021 F-150 Police Responder hitting the quarter mile in just 14.4 seconds, a full second faster than the 2020 model and 0.4 seconds faster than the closest competitor.

The main drivers of the acceleration improvements are the truck’s increased torque and new torque-on-demand 4x4 transfer case. The F-150 Police Responder standard police-tuned 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine produces 500 pound-feet of torque, more than any other pursuit-rated police vehicle. Its automatic four-wheel-drive mode and torque-on-demand transfer case constantly adjust torque to front or rear wheels as needed. This contributes to faster starts because it provides instant traction to all four wheels regardless of road—or off-road—conditions.

The torque-on-demand transfer case also plays a role in the truck’s overall performance, since it facilitates carrying faster speeds when cornering. This was showcased during the 32-lap vehicle dynamics tests run by both the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

The 2021 F-150 Police Responder showed dramatic improvements over the original, cutting 5.8 seconds off its average lap time during the Michigan tests, and 3.6 seconds per lap during the Los Angeles tests. (Los Angeles testing protocols add 400 pounds of payload to police trucks and SUVs to simulate cargo). Laps in the dynamic tests are run on winding, curving tracks, as well as a tight city course, to simulate real-world pursuit driving conditions.

“The vehicle dynamics course is where the entire vehicle is put to the test,” explained Allen Magolan, Ford police vehicles integration manager. “It shows how well the vehicle’s systems work together to deliver the performance an officer relies on in an unpredictable high-speed situation—its acceleration, straight-line speed, cornering and overall performance.”

Introduced in 2017 as a powerful and capable all-terrain law enforcement tool, F-150 Police Responder is part of America’s best-selling police vehicle lineup. The truck is built on the all-new 2021 F-150 SuperCrew platform and engineered to meet a wide range of agency needs from allowing officers to travel with an assortment of emergency response gear to transporting mobile command centers. It offers the most towing capacity, payload capacity, and interior passenger volume of any pursuit-rated law enforcement vehicle.

F-150 Police Responder is assembled at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, MO, and will arrive in fleets this fall.

Ad Loading...

More Vehicle Ops

patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
Three mean cut a ribbon.
Vehicle OpsOctober 17, 2025

Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Expands National Footprint with New 40,000-Square-Foot Facility in Houston

LEHR has opened a 40,000-square-foot Defender Supply upfitting facility in Houston, Texas. It is expected to upfit thousands of public safety vehicles each year.

Read More →
Flock Safety Webinar Banner
SponsoredOctober 7, 2025

Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations

Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Coffee Break With Police Experts thumnail for topic of Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamOctober 3, 2025

Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover

In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.

Read More →
Vintage 1950s Ford police sedan with 17 PCT markings, black and white
Patrolby David GriffithSeptember 28, 2025

Ford Celebrates 75 Years of Making Patrol Vehicles

From 1950 to 2025, Ford has produced many of America’s most iconic law enforcement cars, SUVs, and trucks. POLICE Magazine takes you through the history of Ford’s police vehicles.

Read More →
Two police officers in tactical vests, demonstrating emerging law enforcement technology
SponsoredSeptember 1, 2025

Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust

Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Police officer crouching behind vehicle, holding rifle in tactical stance
Vehicle Opsby Wayne ParhamAugust 29, 2025

Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover

While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.

Read More →
Truck bed storage system with open compartments and diamond plate panels
SponsoredJuly 18, 2025

3 Reasons Law Enforcement Fleets Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Skimp on Slide Outs

When officers can’t access their gear quickly, lives are on the line. That’s why slide outs aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential. From maximizing space to reducing response times and preventing injuries, here are three reasons law enforcement fleets shouldn’t skimp on this critical upgrade.

Read More →
Vehicle OpsJune 5, 2025

POLICE and Geotab Offer Free On-Demand Webinar on Data-Driven Fleet Maintenance

The webinar is presented by Robert Martinez, former deputy commissioner of the NYPD/RSM Fleet Consulting LLC; Nathalie (Nat) Crewes, business segment manager for Geotab; and Alanna Bindi, fleet manager for the City of Stockton.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vehicle OpsMarch 17, 2025

Reaching the Call Safely

How can officers stay safer behind the wheel when responding to calls? Driving instructors from the Michigan State Police and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center share their tips.

Read More →