Towson, Md. (WBFF) — The Baltimore County Police Department unveiled a new look for its patrol vehicles Tuesday, marking the department’s first major redesign of its police fleet in more than three decades.
Police Chief Robert McCullough and Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier introduced the updated vehicles during a ceremony at the Baltimore County Public Safety Building in Towson on June 30.
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The redesign features new graphics, upgraded emergency lighting, enhanced technology and other changes aimed at improving officer safety and making police vehicles more visible and recognizable to the public.
McCullough said residents will begin seeing the new patrol vehicles throughout Baltimore County in the coming weeks and months.
“What you see today helps to ensure that our vehicles are highly visible and recognizable, both of which enhance our officers’ safety and public safety throughout Baltimore County,” McCullough said.
According to the department, the new vehicles also feature hands-free technology, including voice-activated functions, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Officer Branden Sands said the new 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles modernize many of the department’s existing systems.
There is a brand-new computer inside of it,” Sands said. “A lot of stuff now can be audio by a click of a button. Another wonderful piece of technology in this vehicle right now is the fact that it does have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which once again helps with keeping everybody safe on the road by remaining hands free.
The exterior of the vehicles also incorporates reflective decals and upgraded lighting to improve visibility during emergencies.
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Sands said creating the new design took approximately three years and involved numerous revisions and input from officers across the department.
McCullough said officer feedback played a significant role in shaping the final design.
One of the most important aspects of this process was hearing directly from our officers, the men and women who will be driving these vehicles every day,” McCullough said. “Their feedback was instrumental in shaping the final design.
So far, 25 patrol vehicles have been outfitted with the new graphics and equipment package. Many will be assigned through the department’s Assigned Vehicle Community Presence program, with additional vehicles expected to receive the redesign in the future.
Klausmeier praised the updated look and said the vehicles will help reassure residents during emergencies.
Not only do these new decals look great, but they’ll make our officers even more visible,” Klausmeier said. “Whenever people are in an emergency, they look for someone to help them. Whenever they see one of these new cars arriving on the scene, they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the Baltimore County Police Department is there with them.
The county executive also noted that this year’s budget includes funding to expand the department’s take-home vehicle program, allowing more of the newly redesigned patrol vehicles to be seen in neighborhoods across Baltimore County.
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During the event, department officials also reflected on the evolution of Baltimore County police vehicles, from the agency’s first Ford Model T purchased in 1915 to the current fleet equipped with advanced communications and safety technology.
McCullough said the latest redesign represents the next chapter in the department’s history while honoring its longstanding traditions.
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