Can You Identify All These Police Vehicles?

By: Dave Davis
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Can You Identify All These Police Vehicles?
Image: Pixabay by Thomas H.

About This Quiz

If you're in trouble, their lights are a great relief. If you see their lights in your rearview mirror as you cruise through a stop sign, however, they're not a welcome sight. Every police and law enforcement agency needs to get around to do its job and to track down drivers who break the rules of the road. For this quiz, we've assembled 40 of the finest cars to serve in a law enforcement capacity — think you can name them all?

The first police "car" was actually a wagon run by electricity in Akron, Ohio in 1899. Since then, police cars have become an indispensable part of every police department. Because of the differing needs, major law enforcement divisions have various vehicles, each tailored to fit a certain task. 

Most police units are clearly marked to let others on the road know that they are official law enforcement vehicles, complete with lights and sirens that are needed to move through traffic quickly and safely. Then, there are the undercover cars that look for traffic infractions and are quick to pounce; they also have lights and sirens, but otherwise are indistinguishable from other vehicles. 

So, think you know what a "police car" looks like? Well, these vehicles take many shapes and sizes. Hit the lights and siren and let's find out how much you really know about police vehicles!

1 - Dodge Charger police
Wiki Commons by Nick Ares
Just one year after this classic muscle car nameplate was revived, a variant was released and became a police favorite. Can you name this 2006 vehicle?
Pontiac GTO
Chevy HHR
Dodge Charger
Plymouth Roadrunner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Dodge reinvented the Charger in 2005, many police departments hoped they wouldn't have to wait long for a variant marketed just for them — and they didn't. In 2006, the Police Package for the Charger was made available, with plenty of HEMI muscle to power the rear-wheel-drive car. Today, the Charger can go from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds, giving police enough power to chase down almost any bad guy.

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2 - Crown Victoria police
Wiki Commons by dave conner
In 1998, Ford released a "Police Interceptor" of which automobile?
Mustang
Crestline
Crown Victoria
S-Max
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Crown Victoria was a favorite of many police departments and law enforcement agencies during its run. From 1998 through 2011, Ford created a version of this vehicle known as the Police Interceptor. Prior to that, the law-enforcement model was known as the Crown Victoria P71.

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3 - Ford Explorer police
Wiki Commons by Gzzz
The most popular police car at this moment in the U.S. isn't a car. What is it?
GMC Sierra
Chevrolet Silverado
Ford Explorer
Ford F-150
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The most popular police vehicle in the United States is actually a variant of the Ford Explorer: the Ford Police Interceptor Utility. For the 2020 model year, Ford released a new generation of this vehicle, based on the sixth-generation Explorer, which offers a hybrid version with an electric motor and a 3.3-liter V6.

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4 - Chevrolet Caprice police
Wiki Commons by Michael Barera
Which of these 1990s cars had the heart of a Corvette in its "9C1" police package variant?
Ford Maverick
Chevrolet Caprice
Chevrolet Citation
Plymouth Demon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevrolet Caprice was a favorite of many law enforcement agencies because it was both powerful and cheaper to operate. With a version of the powerful LT1 V8 Corvette engine, the Caprice had 260 horses under the hood and enough torque to get off the line and into pursuit quickly.

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5 - Dodge Viper police
Cole Danley via YouTube
Pulling over a speeding driver led to the addition of which vehicle to an Illinois police department in 2007?
McLaren F1
Porsche 918 Spyder
Pagani Huayra
Dodge Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pulled over for doing 127 mph in a 35 mph after a chase, a driver in Illinois had his 2000 Dodge Viper turned over to the Plainfield Police Department, which gave it a black-and-white makeover, fitted it with lights and a siren and turned it into the department's D.A.R.E. unit for use at community events.

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6 - Ford Galaxie 500 police
Wiki Commons by Raymond Wambsgans
Popular with police in the 1960s, which of these vehicles was the squad car on "The Andy Griffith Show"?
Holden Caprice
Pontiac Catalina
Mercury Montego
Ford Galaxie 500
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Galaxie, produced between 1958 and 1974 in the United States, was a popular full-size car in its day that was both powerful (a 7.0-liter engine was available throughout its three-generation run) and versatile. Fans of classic television would recognize it as the Mayberry squad car from "The Andy Griffith Show" (it also didn't hurt that the Ford Motor Company was a sponsor of the show).

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7 - Ford Mustang police
Wiki Commons by Jeremy
After proving its worth to the California Highway Patrol, which pony car went into national use as a police car in 1983?
Ford Mustang
AMC Hurst SC/Rambler
Dodge Challenger
Plymouth Barracuda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The California Highway Patrol needed a high-powered car that could hunt down speeders and chase fugitives, so in 1982 Ford came with the CHP Mustang, which was a Mustang GT with the more conservative notchback body style. The project was a success, so the next year Ford offered the Special Service Package Mustang.

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8 - Chevrolet Impala police
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Which model, a flagship for its maker for many years, has been offered in police variants several times in its 10-generation production run?
Chevrolet Impala
Ford Ranger
Toyota Prius
Honda Accord
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built from 1958 to 2020, the Chevrolet Impala has been one of its maker's best-selling vehicles for much of its long production run. Special models created for law enforcement needs were created along the way, starting in 1977 and continuing through the end of its cycle.

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9 - Smart Fortwo police
Wiki Commons by Tdorante10
It's not big, not powerful and not intimidating, but it IS official. Which of these non-threatening cars can be found in the NYPD motor pool?
Suzuki Cappuccino
Honda Beat
AMC Gremlin
Smart Fortwo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It would be difficult to haul a criminal to justice in one of these cars, but that's not what they were intended for. The New York Police Department has hundreds of Smart Fortwo vehicles for police who write tickets and other non-aggressive needs. They are efficient, if not particularly muscular.

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10 - Dodge Coronet police
Wiki Commons by Triple-green
Which car from the 1970s not only had a powerful engine but it also had a "twin loop" grille that looked menacing?
Chrysler 300
Chevrolet Lumina
Ford Marea
Dodge Coronet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Super Bee" variant of the Dodge Coronet in 1970 had a dual oval grill that looked as if the car had an angry "facial" expression that didn't add anything to the vehicle's performance but was probably effective on a psychological level. What it DID have was a powerful 7.2-liter V8 engine to chase down law breakers.

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11 - Lamborghini Huracán Polizia police
Wiki Commons by Wolfgang Moroder
Which of these vehicles did the Italian Highway Patrol include in its fleet?
Lamborghini Huracán Polizia
Porsche 911
Bugatti Chiron Polizia
McLaren P1
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lamborghini Huracán Polizia — the police variant of the Huracán — was introduced into the Italian Highway Patrol fleet in 2015, with another added in 2017. The supercar not only hunts down speeders but also is used to deliver organs and blood to hospitals when time is of the essence.

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12 - Nissan GT-R police
Wiki Commons by b34rzz
In 2018, police in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture received a donation of which type of vehicle to add to their fleet?
Acura NSX
Nissan GT-R
Mitsubishi GTO
Mazda RX-7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Donated by an area resident in 2018, the police department of Japan's Tochigi Prefecture received a Nissan GT-R capable of producing an incredible 565 horsepower and going from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.7 seconds. This supercar will make short work of high-speed chases.

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13 - AMC Javelin police
ScottieDTV via YouTube
Can you name the first pony car used by any U.S. state or federal law enforcement division?
Chevrolet Camaro
AMC Javelin
Ford Mustang
Pontiac Trans Am
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American Motors Corporation released the Javelin in 1967 and, in its most aggressive configuration in the first generation, offered a 6.4-liter V8 that produced 325 horsepower. When the Alabama Highway Patrol needed a lower-priced vehicle than traditional cruisers, it looked at the Javelin, and in 1971 put second-generation Javelins on the highway as pursuit and high-speed response vehicles. They were on the AHP's force until 1979.

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14 - Dodge Polara police
samspace81 via YouTube
Chrysler put a lot of police vehicles on the road, but this car, in 1969, set a top-speed record for the line that lasted for many years. Name it!
Plymouth Duster
Chrysler Airstream
Dodge Polara
Dodge Daytona
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dodge Polara was made from 1959 through 1973, offering police variants for much of that run. In 1969, the Dodge Polara Pursuit, with its 7.2-liter Magnum V8 engine, set a top speed record of 147 mph — a record for any Chrysler police car on the line, and one that lasted for decades.

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15 - Dodge Diplomat police
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
It wasn't the sexiest vehicle on the road, but this car offered a police package. Can you name this car that hit the streets in the mid-1970s?
Dodge Diplomat
Ford Escort
Chevrolet Citation
Toyota Turcel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dodge Diplomat was a mid-sized car that was made from 1977 through 1989, taking the place of the Dart in the automaker's lineup. The car became a favorite of law enforcement divisions, even after the public's attention had found other cars to buy; in the later 1980s cars with the Police Package made up about half the Diplomat's sales.

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16 - Kia Stinger police
Aussie Random Videos via YouTube
The state of Queensland, Australia is currently replacing its aging fleet of vehicles with which make and model?
Hyundai Accent
Toyota RAV4
Honda HR-V
Kia Stinger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The state of Queensland, Australia had a police car fleet made up of Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons, both of which have been discontinued. So, the government has started replacing cars in the fleet with Kia Stingers, planning on ultimately buying 200 of them for police use. The cars have twin-turbo V6 engines that can produce 365 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

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17 - Toyota 4Runner police
Wiki Commons by Tomás Del Coro
Considered by some to be an odd choice for police use, which of these vehicles has been used in beach areas around Los Angeles?
Toyota 4Runner
Land Rover Defender
Audi A5
Chevy Nova
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A mid-sized sport utility vehicle, the Toyota 4Runner might not be the first vehicle you might think of when it comes to law enforcement, but the vehicle has proved useful for officers who patrol the city's beach areas. The 4Runner first hit streets in 1983 and is still being used today.

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18 - Volvo S70 police
Wiki Commons by OSX
Although it had a short production run, which import has been used by both British and North American police forces?
Volvo S70
Porsche 911
Audi R8
Honda CB750
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Volvo S70 was only in production from 1996 through 2000, but since specialized versions were made available as police variants, many departments gave the car a try, including some British forces and the California Highway Patrol. The S70 was followed by the S60, which is still in production today.

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19 - Saab 900 police
Wiki Commons by wwwwolf
Because they were sure-footed — and the company cut them a deal for use in advertising — police in Aspen, Colorado started driving which import in 1974?
Holden Commodore
Subaru Impreza
Citroën Jumpy
Saab 900
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because of the high altitude and deep snow that sometimes blanketed the area, police in Aspen, Colorado needed a vehicle well-suited for the job. When a new police chief took the job in 1973, it was decided to replace the police fleet, and they decided on Saab 900s, which both fit the bill and were cheaper because Saab wanted to use them in some advertising campaigns. Several area residents also bought Saabs.

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20 - Studebaker Lark police
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Police versions of this vehicle included the "Pursuit", "Patrol" and "City" models. What was the make of this car from the 1960s?
Ford Cougar
Chevrolet Caprice
Chrysler Intrepid
Studebaker Lark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Studebaker Lark hit the streets in 1959 and lasted for three generations, with the final car coming out in 1966. The Marshal model of the Lark's third generation was built for use by police departments, offering three body styles for various uses: "Pursuit," "Patrol" and "City."

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21 - Ford F-150 police
Wiki Commons by Raymond Wambsgans
The most popular vehicle on American roads today is also the favorite of many police departments. Can you name this vehicle?
Toyota Camry
Ford F-150
Chevrolet Silverado
Nissan Titan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford F-150 pickup has been the most popular vehicle on the roads of the United States since the 1980s, so it's only logical that many police departments would have this model in their fleets. In 2018, the F-150 Police Responder variant became the first pursuit-rated pickup truck on the market.

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22 - Ford LTD police
Wiki Commons by Raymond Wambsgans
They were large and they were in charge. Which of these vehicles was almost 18' long and offered police-only options?
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford LTD
Chrysler Lancer
Hummer H2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it first hit the streets in 1965, the Ford LTD was a full-size model — there is no arguing about that. While the car had all the engine a driver could want in earlier models, emissions and fuel economy standards in the late 1970s meant that only the police variants of the LTD would have the most powerful engines.

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23 - A MINI Cooper police
Wiki Commons by M 93
A city in New Jersey made the unusual choice of including which of these vehicles in its police fleet?
A Yugo
A Ford Festiva
A MINI Cooper
A Chevrolet Volt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2011, BMW presented the police department of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey with one of its products: a MINI Cooper with the words "Drive It Home: Don't TXT & Drive" emblazoned on the side. The vehicle was designed to present the public service message, but wasn't modified in any other way.

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24 - Alfa Giulia QV police
GuidoV via YouTube
Which of these cars is rated at 503 horsepower and might pull you over if you're committing a crime in Italy?
FIAT 124 Spider
Alfa Giulia QV
Porsche 911
Mazda MX-5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's got the body of a sedan, but this four-door car used by the Italian Carabinieri has a monster twin-turbo V6 that can put out more than 500 horsepower, go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and hit 190 mph. That's fast enough to catch up with almost any getaway car.

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25 - Camaro police
Wiki Commons by Carlos Lopes
A high-performance package hidden in a lower-performance body, which of these Chevy cars was first marketed to police in 1991?
Corvette
Camaro
Equinox
Celebrity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1991, Chevrolet developed the "B4C" package for the Camaro, designated to be used by police departments and other law enforcement agencies. The package offered the power of the high-performance Z/28 package but put it in the lower-performance RS body. Police packages have been part of the Camaro lineup ever since.

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26 - Dodge Monaco Pursuit police
Wiki Commons by Alf van Beem
Which make and model gave chase to the Duke Boys in "The Dukes of Hazzard," and fit the part since it was used by many real-life police officers?
Chevrolet Caprice
Eagle Talon
Ford Transit
Dodge Monaco Pursuit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dodge Monaco Pursuit was a favorite of police officers across the country because it was both fast and powerful, Tested in 1977, the Monaco Pursuit earned a 0-to-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds (the Corvette of that era did it in 8 seconds). The Monaco was used by Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane to chase down Bo and Luke Duke in TV's "The Dukes of Hazzard," and it looked the part because it was the real deal.

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27 - SVT Raptor police
Wiki Commons by Donna Burton, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Which variant of the Ford F-150 is used by the U.S. Border Patrol?
XLT
Platinum
SVT Raptor
Lariat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The U.S. Border Patrol needed something rugged for traveling the unpaved area along the southwestern border, and found that the SVT Raptor package of the Ford F-150 was well-suited for the extreme off-road nature of their jurisdiction.

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28 - Chevrolet Nova police
NBC
A small car with a big heart, which of these vehicles was modified for the needs of police officers in the 1970s?
Chevrolet Nova
Alfa Romeo 159
Opel Astra
Kia Optima
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevy Nova wasn't a big car, but in 1975, when Chevrolet put a V8 with 165 horsepower into the small frame and equipped it with heavy-duty brakes for better handling, it was fast, maneuverable and perfect for certain law enforcement tasks.

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29 - BMW i8 police
bobbydavidson via YouTube
Which of these "green" supercars do Dubai police officers have at their disposal?
Ford Fusion
Lexus GS
BMW i8
Acura NSX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's beautiful, it's green, it's powerful, and if you are speeding in the United Arab Emirates, it's the last thing you want to see in your rearview mirror. The BMW i8, used by police in Dubai, is a plug-in hybrid that gets 112 miles per gallon and, with 355 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque, can go from 0 to 60 in just over four seconds. Better pull over now.

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30 - Ferrari 458 Spider police
Franciosi Jr. via YouTube
Which of these vehicles was seized by police in Milan and used to convey the message to youth that "crime doesn't pay"?
Ferrari 458 Spider
Bugatti Veyron
Aston Martin One-77
Ford GT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Getting arrested is bad enough; having your Ferrari 458 Spider confiscated, painted in police colors (complete with roof lights) and used as a warning to youth that crime doesn't pay is a whole other matter. When police in Milan, Italy impounded a mobster's vehicle in 2015, they "rehabbed" it for educational purposes.

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31 - Porsche Cayman GT4 police
Jack Brown via YouTube
While it's not intended for chasing down bad guys, which of these vehicles is used by the Norfolk Constabulary as a P.R. vehicle?
Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
BMW M3
Porsche Cayman GT4
Jaguar F-Type
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The car isn't intended to chase down those who broke the law, but instead to get conversations going. The Norfolk Constabulary in England uses a decked-out Porsche Cayman GT4 donated by the Lind Trust to get the attention of the public — especially students and other youth — as a way of starting discussions.

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32 - Nissan Altima Hybrid police
Wiki Commons by Kevin.B
It wasn't around for very long, but which of these "green" vehicles was a police cruiser for the NYPD before it was discontinued in 2011?
Toyota Prius
Honda Insight
Kia Optima Hybrid
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first hybrid vehicle from Nissan, the Altima Hybrid was made from 2007 until 2011. While it never really found an audience — thus, its discontinuation — it did become a familiar sight in New York City while it was around. Not only did the NYPD use the vehicle as a police cruiser, but it was also a favorite of taxi companies.

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33 - Ford Taurus police
Wiki Commons by Jason Lawrence
Made from 1985 through 2019, the Interceptor version of which of these vehicles was found in many police fleets?
Hummer H2
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Malibu
Ford Taurus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Taurus was in production for four decades, starting in 1985 and concluding its run in 2019. In 2013, the Taurus stepped up as the successor to the much-beloved police version of the Crown Victoria. The Ford Police Interceptor Sedan was part of the series' sixth generation.

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34 - Hummer police
Wiki Commons by Raymond Wambsgans
Because it had its origins in military action, which consumer vehicle was a good fit for some police departments in the early 2000s?
Jeep Wrangler
Hummer
Willys MB
Toyota 4Runner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Several models of the Hummer lineup (H1, H2 and H3) have found their way onto police department motor pools, both in the United States and around the world. Special police upgrades were offered that, when added to the vehicle's already aggressive appearance, gave police an advantage in many situations.

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35 - Ford Fairlane police
Hagerty via YouTube
In the 1950s, these vehicles were both stylish and powerful. Can you name it?
Ford Fairlane
Mercury 8
UAZ Patriot
Chevrolet Tahoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Fairlane, made between 1955 and 1970, proved to be the backbone of many law enforcement agencies around the United States. In 1957, the Fairlane got an engine upgrade that added a supercharger to a Thunderbird V8 engine, giving it the capability of generating 300 horsepower — incredible for the time and still impressive today.

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36 - Alfa Romeo 159 police
Wiki Commons by Vajotwo
Italian police used this car for a brief time in the 2000s. Can you name it?
Porsche 911
Ferrari 488 GTB
Alfa Romeo 159
Volvo S70
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Italian police used the 2006 model of the Alfa Romeo 159 between 2006 and 2008. The car was well-suited for law enforcement use in the city because of its V6 engine that put out 256 horsepower coupled with the car's superior handling abilities.

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37 - Cadillac Escalade police
Wiki Commons by Guillaume Vachey
In 2008, Northern Arizona University added which luxury car to its stable after a drug bust?
Audi A6
Cadillac Escalade
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Lexus IS
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Northern Arizona University Police Department added a touch of luxury to its fleet in 2008 after the Northern Arizona Street Crimes Task Force seized a Cadillac Escalade during a drug bust. The four-wheel-drive SUV was fully marked and equipped and served as a patrol vehicle.

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38 - Mercedes ML350 police
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Loaned to them by an area dealership, which of these vehicles was used by school resource officers in Beverly Hills?
McLaren Speedtail
Mercedes ML350
Bugatti Chiron
Ferrari LaFerrari
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even the school resource officers need to look sharp in Beverly Hills, California, or at least that's what Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills believes. The dealership loaned the vehicle for the officers' use in 2013 — the second time the dealership let them use a Mercedes vehicle.

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39 - Chevrolet Cruze police
Wiki Commons by Dickelbers
Which of these vehicles is used as a "Fast Response Car" in Singapore?
Audi TT
Ford GT
Chevrolet Cruze
Acura NSX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Singapore requires civilian vehicles to have speed limiters installed, but Fast Response Cars (FRCs) meant for police use have no such restrictions. There are several types of vehicles used as FRCs in Singapore. In addition to the Chevrolet Cruze, police officers also use vehicles such as the BMW F30, Hyundai Avante, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla Altis and the Volvo S80.

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40 - Isuzu Trooper police
Wiki Commons by Heggyhomolit
Built from 1981 through 2002, which aptly named vehicle found its way onto several police departments' motor pools?
Chevrolet Citation
Ford Ranger
Dodge Diplomat
Isuzu Trooper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built in two generations between 1981 and 2002, the Isuzu Trooper might not have been the powerhouse that other vehicles on the police force might have been, but it was a versatile SUV that was available in four-wheel-drive models and could go off-road as the need arose.

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Pixabay by Thomas H.