New Ford, GM Vehicles Tested by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is one of only two police agencies nationally (the other is the Michigan State Police) that test current and prototype police vehicles.

During the fall, for several weeks, the LASD was on the job again at Pomona Raceway outside Los Angeles, putting the best that Ford and General Motors had to offer through rigorous, challenging, real-world exams where they count the most - on the pavement.

"My philosophy is to ask the officer what he needs; what's comfortable and what works the best," said LASD Lt. Bob Sedita, who runs the testing program for the sheriff's department.

He supplements testing data compiled at Pomona with input and comment from deputies and officers from his own department and other agencies in attendance. Several states and numerous police agencies were represented at the testing.

Both POLICE Publisher Leslie Maris and Executive Editor Dennis Hall attended the testing sessions.