Do the new VPD patrol cars look too intimidating?
Posted July 8, 2014 9:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – They’re supposed to project a feeling of safety and control, but what happens if they intimidate you instead?
A local advocate has some concerns about the new patrol cars the Vancouver Police Department is in the process of rolling out.
“Militaristic” is one word Sandy Garossino uses to describe the black Dodge Chargers. She says vulnerable people may not feel comfortable approaching one of the vehicles, adding it could compromise levels of trust.
“The domination of black over the colours that we have had in the past or other bright colours that other jurisdictions have that aren’t aggressive,” says Garossino, in describing what she finds intimidating about the vehicles.
She feels the cars don’t reflect the values the VPD has worked to express.
“It’s not the kind of imagery that would I think, for instance, attract say a young First Nations girl who needs help. I think she’d be more off-put and be afraid of the police rather than see them as her protector.”
The VPD says it has had “overwhelming support” for the new design.
“We actually have individuals in the community that approach our officers just to talk about the cars,” says Constable Brian Montague.
“We did have to change the design when we went to the new car because the old design wouldn’t fit with the contours and lines of the Dodge Charger,” he explains.
“We did keep a couple of things with the new car,” adds Montague. “We kept the Aboriginal-designed thunderbird that is over the front fenders. The thunderbird represents the protector; it’s by a renowned artist, Susan Point. So we did keep a couple of things… the Vancouver Police logo, of course, remains the same.”
The cars started being put on the road earlier this year. They’re being rolled out over a three-year period.