The 2013 Ford F150 in a Police Uniform

Announcing the new Special Service F-150 today our response is, “They didn’t have that already?” But think about. How many police trucks have you seen lately with the Blue Oval on them? None. Odds are your local highways and byways have plenty of Silerado’s in your local law enforcement livery though. Today Ford has announced an official SSV F-150 to offer police departments, highway patrol agencies and fire departments among others a vehicle purpose built for the duty. Best of all, the package is no charge.

“Our fleet customers have been asking us to create this option for F-Series trucks,” said Ford Government Sales Manager Tony Gratson. “We’re confident the current and updated 2013 F-150 equipped with the SSV Package will be of particular interest to our government customers with rugged jobs such as law enforcement, firefighting, and national and state park patrols.” To meet wide-ranging need, agencies will be able to order the package in both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations, 4×2 and 4×4 models, and with a choice of 5.0-liter V8 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines.

When SSV-equipped, the F-150 interior is optimized for driver comfort, maximum adaptability for aftermarket upfit of task-specific accessories, and second-row seat durability. F-150 SSV content includes a high-capacity 220-amp alternator to support fleet-class electrical needs. The SSV seating package is 40/20/40, with the center 20 percent omitted completely to maximize space for in-cab aftermarket equipment such as law enforcement communications and firearms installations. The central console is omitted also, creating even more space. Individual driver and first-row passenger seating surfaces are upholstered in easily cleaned cloth for comfort over the long haul. The three-across, full-width second-row seat is covered completely in rugged, durable vinyl, ideal for law enforcement use or work-crew transport.

Ford places no restrictions on F-150 optional content so that fleets – both government and commercial – have maximum flexibility in ordering exact vehicle specifications. This enables F-150 SSV buyers to specify such options as heavy-duty tires, 4×4 skid plates and interior convenience content. The move is no doubt a strategic overture to keep business for the many government agencies who may be asking where the body on frame rear-wheel drive vehicles are. Ford stopped production of the police department favorite, the Crown Victoria last fall. Since then they have been pushing front-wheel drive Taurus and Explorer based police vehicles on them, with less than enthusiastic response from many.