Ford Police SUVs Got Harder To Spot

Ford Police Interceptor Utility rear lights (Credit: Ford)

Let’s be honest: you probably don’t always follow the speed limit exactly, and maybe you occasionally do some other things that could get you pulled over. Your saving grace has been the big lights mounted to the roof of most cop cars. But things are changing, and you should be concerned.

The Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which is based on the Explorer, is a favorite of cops. It’s spacious, capable and looks tough. And now, it can be outfitted with emergency lights embedded in the sun visors and rear spoiler. In other words, that Explorer riding behind you in traffic could be a police officer, not a soccer mom hauling kids around.

Ford Police Interceptor Utility front lights (Credit: Ford)

In the past, police departments have used light bars mounted to the inside of the back window of cars, if they want a slick top setup. The problem with that is the light bar blocks part of the rearward view. This new option from Ford eliminates that problem, and is pretty sneaky. Cops can turn on the flashing red and blue lights we all hate to see, or amber LEDs when there’s a road hazard.

This new feature isn’t all bad. Ford made it auto-dimming so drivers aren’t blinded by the lights. Officers can also program the lights to shine at full intensity, down to 20 percent.