Ford Motor Company is marking a milestone this year — 75 years since it introduced its first dedicated police package in 1950. But the automaker’s relationship with law enforcement goes back much further, to the earliest years of the automobile itself.
Soon after the 1908 Model T hit the road, Ford vehicles were adapted for patrol duty thanks to their durability and power. That connection deepened with the 1932 Ford Model 18 and its Flathead V8, one of the first engines powerful enough to give officers a real edge in pursuit. The same car earned an infamous reputation among outlaws, including Bonnie and Clyde, who were found in a Ford V8 when they were ambushed by police in 1934.
After World War II halted civilian production, Ford retooled its factories and, by 1950, launched its first official police package based on the 1949 Ford. The car was designed to handle the 24-hour demands of patrol work, with higher output engines, upgraded electrical systems for radios, and improved durability. Two years later came the first “Interceptor” — a name that would become synonymous with Ford police vehicles for decades.
Through the muscle car era, Ford’s police sedans like the Galaxie 500 and Custom 500 defined highway patrol fleets with their big-block V8s and top speeds above 100 mph. The 1980s brought a shift toward modern efficiency, highlighted by the LTD Crown Victoria and the lightweight Mustang pursuit cars used by agencies like the California Highway Patrol.
From 1992 to 2012, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor reigned supreme, becoming one of the most recognizable police cars in America. Even today, some departments still keep their well-maintained Crown Vics in service.
Ford’s police lineup has since evolved to match changing times. The Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility became the country’s best-selling patrol vehicle, while the F-150 Police Responder brought pursuit performance to pickup trucks. More recently, Ford introduced hybrid and electric patrol options like the Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid and Mustang Mach-E, both tested and certified by the Michigan State Police.
As Ford looks toward its next generation of electrified patrol vehicles, the company’s 75-year police legacy remains firmly rooted in innovation, performance, and public service — a history that continues to evolve with every new patrol car it builds.
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