Darlington Police Department acquires patrol vehicles
Darlington Police Department Capt. Michael Cook with one of the city’s new leased patrol cars. Photo by Samantha Lyles
The Darlington Police Department took delivery of five 2019 Ford Police Interceptors last week and – once they’re striped and fully kitted out with lights, sirens, and cameras – three of these new vehicles will take to the streets as patrol cars. The other two will be unmarked vehicles for use by investigators. The five cars are the first vehicles received by DPD under the city’s new lease agreement with Enterprise, which will eventually replace all fleet vehicles.
“Over the next five years, we will be getting more leased vehicles and selling off what we currently have. The money from those sales will help pay down the lease,” says Howard Garland, Darlington city manager. He adds that under the lease program, the city is only responsible for maintaining things like tires, oil, and fluids, and all major repairs are covered by Enterprise. Garland says the city will also avoid depreciation costs, since all vehicles are exchanged regularly and “it ends up being an ultimate savings over the five-year period.”
