Norene BassinChief Bruce Ferguson shows off the trunk of the Chevy Tahoe and the supplies the department brings on patrol. Ever since acquiring a 2022 Ford Explorer Platinum in March, the DeWitt Police Department has seen a multitude of benefits. From a quieter engine to better mileage, Chief Bruce Ferguson says he plans on fully transitioning to an all-hybrid fleet by 2025.
Ferguson said the department’s budget was being sunk into constant maintenance. “The maintenance cost on our other patrol car was out of control,” he said. “We were replacing engines left and right … with engines costing $8,000 a pop, it was adding up fast.” The small, 3.3L hybrid engine of the Explorer Platinum hasn’t required nearly as much maintenance as previous cars.