Lyla Lindsey
Australian police cars have evolved over the decades, from the earliest days of the horseless carriage to the diverse fleet of today. The first police car in New South Wales was a Sunbeam Roadster, while in Queensland, the first motorised police vehicle was a modified horse-drawn carriage. By the middle of the 20th century, the Australian car industry was booming, and police forces across the country began using locally-built Holdens and Fords, with the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon becoming the default choice for police forces. In recent years, with the shutdown of local manufacturing, police fleets have diversified, with various car models being considered, such as the BMW 530d, Chrysler SRT8, and Škoda Superb wagon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First police car in New South Wales | Sunbeam Roadster |
| First motorised police vehicle in Queensland | Modified horse-drawn carriage |
| Previous popular models | Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Ford Crown Victoria |
| Current models | Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW 530d, Kia Stinger, Chrysler SRT8, Skoda Superb Wagon, Volkswagen Passat, Ford Ranger |
| Motorcycle models | Harley-Davidson |
| Other vehicles | Patrol cars, specialist cars, prison vans, four-wheel drives, rescue vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Holden Commodores, Ford Falcons and other historical police cars
Australian police cars have evolved over the decades, from the earliest days of the "horseless carriage" to the diverse fleet of today. In the past, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon were the default choice for police forces across Australia, until local manufacturing shut down and the cars were no longer an option.
The Holden Commodore, a medium to large sedan, has been actively manufactured since 1978. It was used by the police in its long-wheelbase form, which was stripped out and strengthened with extra space in the back. The Commodore was also used as a Police Pursuit Vehicle, built with both six-cylinder and V8 guises, and various suspension, braking, and interior tweaks for safer, sharper police use. The last Holden Commodore V8s were used as NSW Police highway patrol cars until 2024, seven years after the shutdown of Australian car manufacturing.
The Ford Falcon has been a powerful highway patrol car, with the 2014 Falcon GT-F possessing an incredible 5.0-litre V8 engine. Ford Australia seemed to work harder than Holden to build cars that met police needs, with the 1967 XR Falcon GT providing more power than the standard model. Ford Falcon cop cars were available as two- and four-door cop-spec V8s from the 1960s to 1982, when the fuel crisis ended the era of the 5.8-litre V8 Falcon cop car. The last Ford Falcon highway patrol car used by NSW Police was grounded in March 2021 and sold at auction for a record $94,500.
Other Australian-made cars have also served as police vehicles over the years, including Minis, Toranas, Valiants, and even Nissan Skylines. With the shutdown of local manufacturing, police authorities have been assessing replacement models, with the BMW 530d and Chrysler 300 SRT8 being considered.
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The shift to imported Commodores
The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon were the default choice for police forces across Australia for many years. However, with the shutdown of local manufacturing, police fleets had to diversify. The Holden Commodore was manufactured in Australia from 1978 until the end of 2017. From 2018, the Commodore was imported from Opel, General Motor's European division. South Australia introduced more than 100 new Commodores over a 24-month period, with the SA Police Commodore based on the Commodore RS all-wheel-drive design and fitted with a 3.6-litre V6 engine.
The Commodore has a long history of serving the Australian police force and has proven to be a viable option for patrol work. The Chevrolet Caprice PPV took the Australian luxury car and turned it into a strengthened police cruiser with plenty of space in the back. The imported Commodore has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, making it a reliable choice for police forces.
The imported Commodore has allowed police forces to continue using a familiar and trusted model, while also benefiting from the safety and performance features offered by the European-built version. The shift to imported Commodores has been a successful transition for Australian police forces, with the vehicle's safety, performance, and familiarity making it a preferred choice over other options.
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The rise of electric police cars
Over the last century, Australian police cars have evolved from the humble Sunbeam Roadster to the mighty Ford Falcon GT. However, with the end of local manufacturing for iconic models like the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, police fleets are now more diverse than ever. This shift has provided an opportunity for electric vehicles to enter the market, with Queensland Police leading the charge by adopting the MG HS PHEV as part of their move towards fleet electrification.
The transition to electric police cars offers several advantages. Firstly, electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly, reducing the carbon footprint of police operations. Secondly, they can be cost-effective, as electric motors require less maintenance and fuel costs are lower. Electric vehicles also have instant torque, providing rapid acceleration for high-speed pursuits.
While the BMW 530d and Chrysler 300 SRT8 have emerged as popular choices for highway patrol cars, the Škoda Superb wagon has also gained traction, with 55 ordered for highway patrol duties in Western Australia. Škoda's entry into the Australian police car market is a significant milestone, showcasing the brand's capabilities and potential for future expansion.
As police fleets continue to evolve, it is likely that more electric vehicles will be introduced. The shift towards electrification aligns with modern technological advancements, ensuring that Australian police forces remain well-equipped to serve and protect their communities. With the MG HS PHEV already on the roads and more electric options on the horizon, the future of Australian police fleets looks bright and sustainable.
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Undercover vs unmarked cars
In Australia, unmarked police cars are used to police speeding and enforce road rules covertly. They are not to be confused with undercover police vehicles, which are used for covert operations and are driven by plain-clothed officers. Undercover vehicles do not feature the equipment needed for speed and traffic enforcement, such as number plate scanners, speed detection, large antennas for communication, and lights.
Unmarked police cars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and while they may blend in with regular traffic, there are some features that give them away. They are often equipped with traffic enforcement equipment, such as number plate scanners, speed detection, large antennas, and lights. They also may have a few too many aerials, a dash-mounted device, and lights integrated into the front bumper.
The specific models of unmarked police cars vary across different states and territories in Australia. In New South Wales (NSW), the BMW 530d has replaced the Chrysler 300 SRT for highway patrol duties, marking the end of eight-cylinder police cars in the state. Other models used in NSW include the BMW 5 Series, Hyundai Sonata, and Holden Commodore. The Federal Police in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have been known to use the BMW M3 and M40i models.
In Victoria, unmarked police cars include the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Hilux. South Australia Police use a combination of sedans, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and four-wheel drives, including the Kia Sorento Sport AWD, Toyota RAV4 AWD GX Hybrid, Volkswagen Tiguan Proline, and Subaru Outback Sport XT Turbo. For regional locations, they use the LandCruiser 300 Series, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Hilux 70 Series.
Queensland Police have been known to use the Subaru Levorg, Kia Stinger, and Isuzu D-Max. The Western Australia Police Force covers a vast area and uses unmarked Toyota Prados and Toyota Klugers. They also use a range of models for marked and unmarked duties, including the Skoda Superb, Kia Stinger, Kia EV6, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Kia Sorento.
The diversity of unmarked police cars in Australia reflects the evolution of police vehicles over time, transitioning from locally-built Holdens and Fords to a more international fleet of German, Japanese, and South Korean models.
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The future of Australian police cars
The Holden Commodore was manufactured in Australia from 1978 until the end of 2017. It was a popular choice for police forces, for both marked and unmarked cars, and was even used as a police cruiser in the USA. The Ford Falcon was also a top choice for police for over 50 years, with the 2014 Falcon GT-F boasting a powerful 600kW engine. With production of these vehicles ending, police forces have been trialing new models.
The BMW 530d has become a regular sight on Australian highways, and police-modified versions of the car have been fitted with extra safety features such as enhanced braking systems. The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is another model that has been considered for highway patrol duties, and is used by police in the USA. The Volkswagen Passat is also in use as a general duties car in Victoria, as well as for unmarked and highway patrol duties.
In Western Australia, the Škoda Superb wagon has been chosen for highway patrol, with 55 ordered for use on the state's vast highway network. The South Australian Police force is introducing over 100 new Opel-built Commodores over a 24-month period, with the first imported Commodores arriving in 2018. Queensland Police are using the MG HS PHEV as part of a move to electrify their fleet with hybrid cars.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian police cars have evolved over the years. The first police car in New South Wales was a Sunbeam Roadster, while in Queensland, the first motorised police vehicle was a modified horse-drawn carriage. In the past, Australian police forces primarily used locally-built Holdens and Fords, such as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. However, with the end of local manufacturing, police fleets have become more diverse.
More recently, Australian police forces have been using imported models such as the Holden Commodore, imported from Opel, the BMW 530d, the Chrysler 300 SRT8, the Škoda Superb wagon, and the Volkswagen Passat.
Modern police cars in Australia have advanced technology, including cameras that can scan licence plates and alert officers to any issues. They also have enhanced safety features, such as improved braking systems.
