The Final Call
From time to time, police departments deploy interesting cars, including the fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, showing that EVs can also suit up for the job. More recently, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced on social media that it is rolling out its last Chevrolet Camaro for service, nearly three years after production of the sixth-generation muscle car ended.
The CHP didn’t disclose many details, though it reiterated that different vehicles may be deployed, but every unit “shares the same core mission,” which is to protect “the people of California” and keep their roadways safe. The Camaro is also an interesting choice, given that the law enforcement agency has its own policy documents on operating the vehicle, particularly the Camaro SS 1LE, which is equipped with the track-focused 1LE package.
Hold Your Horses
Looking at the policy documents, the Camaro patrol vehicle has several restrictions, including discouraging driving it during prolonged periods of rain or adverse weather, no revving for fun, and no launch control. Despite being a track-focused version, the vehicle can only be operated in Tour Mode, so Sport and Track modes are not allowed. Activity generated while driving the vehicle must also be logged under special project code (SPC) 775 on daily field records and associated enforcement documents.
Given its coupe body style, similar to rivals like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, it is understandable why the document states that prisoners should not be transported in it, except under “exigent circumstances.” The vehicle uses a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine capable of delivering 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque.
Officers wanting to drive the Camaro patrol vehicle must undergo special training from the CHP Academy first. Failure to comply with the rules may result in removal of operator privileges. And with this being the last Camaro to join the fleet, those privileges may be worth holding onto.
Chevrolet
Reinforcements Incoming?
While the CHP describes this patrol vehicle as the “last of its kind to join the fleet,” the Camaro nameplate could eventually return. Reports suggest that a next-gen Camaro will ride on an updated version of GM’s rear-wheel-drive Alpha 2 architecture, which currently underpins the Cadillac CT5.
If that model eventually rolls off the factory line and joins a police fleet someday, it could be a more practical patrol vehicle, given that the Camaro will reportedly adopt a four-door body style. The comeback could happen for the 2029 model year.
Chevrolet
