Ford Adds Industry-First Pickup to Police Fleet

Ford Motor Co. is expanding its fleet of law enforcement vehicles with what it describes as the industry’s first pursuit-rated pickup truck.

Based on Ford’s F-150 FX4 off-road model, the 2018 F-150 Police Responder is designed for rural areas patrolled by sheriff’s departments, border patrol operations and the U.S. Dept. of Natural Resources’ fish and game authorities.

The purpose-built pickup sits on a 145-inch wheelbase with a SuperCrew body. Ford says the configuration provides the largest passenger volume, payload and towing capacity of any pursuit-rated police vehicle.

Power comes from Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that makes 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The output bests that of the 6.0-liter V-8 used in Chevrolet’s police car and the Hemi V-8 in the Dodge Charger cruiser.

Ford’s V-6 is mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The F-150 Responder also gets a police-calibrated brake system with upgraded calipers and pad friction material, upgraded front-stabilizer bar for improved handling and 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires.

A high-output 240-amp alternator is included to support on-board electrical devices. Other goodies include underbody skid plates and a 7,000-lb towing capacity.

The pickup’s interior features slimmed-down front seats to accommodate police vests and utility belts. The center seating position has been eliminated to make room for a computer console and shotgun racks. The flooring and rear seats are vinyl for easier cleaning, and a row divider can be added to enable the truck to carry prisoners.

Ford has long been the leading provider of police vehicles in the U.S. The company also makes police variants of the Taurus sedan, Explorer SUV, Transit transport van and Fusion hybrid-electric car.