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The new seventh-generation Mustang is out. It’s prowling the streets with more power and an aggressive redesign. However, most Ford Mustang fans won’t think twice about the S650 model dawning police liveries and patrolling the open road. Well, law enforcement agencies across the country purchase and repurpose Mustangs more frequently than you might think. In fact, from South Carolina to Kentucky and beyond, the Blue Oval pony car serves police departments on the regular. 

Police departments nationwide are purchasing and repurposing Ford Mustangs for official service

It’s not uncommon for police departments to field fast, capable sports cars and performance sedans as interceptor units and public relations tools. As such, you may have noticed the occasional S197, S550, and even the new S650 with flashing lights from time to time. 

Well, if purchasing trends are any indication, you might see more police Ford Mustangs as time marches on. For instance, in South Carolina, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team (CAT) purchased 17 new S650 Ford Mustang GTs. Better yet, each one bears the department’s official livery. However, rather than patrolling the streets with interception in mind, these Mustangs are more of a PR conversation piece.

“Each one of the CAT deputies are assigned neighborhoods. They go to all their community meetings, they give out their phone numbers,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said of the Mustangs, per WLTX News 19. “That’s that personal connection that these citizens have straight with somebody in the sheriff’s department.”

It brings to mind the Fox Body Mustang SSP of years past. Moreover, with the upcoming departure of the Chevrolet Camaro, departments seeking the latest American sports car for public safety work have limited options.

Chances are, at this point, you have some anecdotal evidence of the presence of police Ford Mustangs. For instance, when I was serving on a fire department in Kentucky, we worked closely with a couple of unmarked S550 Mustang GTs in the city police department. 

Appropriately enough, one of the GTs was red, the other blue. Whether you like the aesthetic or (probably) unconscious tribute to the red and blue lights atop most police cruisers, it’s not the sight you want to see in your rearview mirror. That, and good luck trying to give the 435-horsepower Mustangs the slip.

Still, previous-generation ‘Stangs aren’t the only examples of the Blue Oval’s resident sports car in service in Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) recently fielded a still-new 2024 Ford Mustang GT in the law enforcement agency’s typical livery. I mean, it’s no CHiPs. But it’s just as comically awesome.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).