The 2021 Tesla Model S delivers on high performance. Seating up to five passengers, this electric luxury sedan offers plenty of legroom and cargo space. State-of-the-art technology, advanced safety systems, and extended range make this EV an excellent choice.

In fact, one Model S recently caught the attention of a police force interested in adding an EV to its fleet. The department devised an innovative way to buy one: by using money confiscated from a drug bust. The law enforcement officers are thrilled with their new Tesla patrol car.

Why a Georgia police department bought a Tesla Model S with drug money

Money that police seize in drug busts is a common occurrence in major cities. But in the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven, Georgia, the local police department put such funds to good use. The town used money confiscated during a drug arrest to purchase a Tesla Model S, CleanTechnica reported. 

“The Tesla Model S only had 22,000 miles on it, comes with a 100,000 mile/eight-year warranty, and we got it at a reasonable $45,000,” the city manager said, “saving taxpayer dollars by using confiscated drug funds.”

The EV–turned–patrol car now sports a sticker below the license plate reading, “Paid for by your local drug dealer.”

The department claims to be the first law enforcement division “this side of the Mississippi” to use a Model S on patrol.

How the new patrol car is helping the community

The used 2015 Tesla Model S for police business has received an enormous amount of community support.

Police 1 reported that city officials are putting their Model S through “rigorous field testing to see if it would make a better option to the police patrol cars now in use.” They’re even considering developing an all-electric fleet of police vehicles.

The town is working toward making its public safety facilities environmentally friendly and is adopting policies referred to as “Sustainable Brookhaven.” It’s also installing several EV charging stations.

The mayor said, “We are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, improve our air quality, and conserve resources for future generations.”

The newly acquired Tesla Model S patrol car recently participated in a parade held near Atlanta. The event was held to bring attention to the issue of human trafficking. More than 300 other Tesla EVs also took part to show unity and raise funds to fight the ongoing problem. Georgia public service commissioner Tim Echols led the procession with state troopers and local law enforcement officers. He deemed the parade a huge success, writing on Twitter that it “qualified as a record-breaking event.”

The 2021 Tesla Model S

The 2021 Tesla Model S has already earned MotorTrend‘s Ultimate Car of the Year honors. The publication calls it “not only the quickest car to 60 mph we’ve ever tested, it is (for now) the longest-range electric vehicle you can buy.”

Indeed, the sedan, harnessing 417 hp and 485 lb-ft of torque, can whir from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.28 seconds. The Long Range+ variant gets to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has an impressive EPA-rated 402-mile range. And the Model S Performance version can hit top speeds of 163 mph, comfortably meeting police departments’ needs nationwide.

Brookhaven may be the first to use a Tesla Model S as a patrol car, but it likely won’t be the last.