This morning, Ford issued a press release announcing new ballistic panel options for its Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle models. The factory-equipped options make them the first pursuit-rated police vehicles in the United States to offer ballistic protection up to Department of Justice’s (DoJ) National Institute of Justice standard Type IV. Type IV protection is designed to stop .30 caliber armor piercing rounds with a mass of 10.8 grams and a velocity of 878 meters per second.
“The fact that we design our Police Interceptors around officer feedback is what has made them number one. Officers globally told us they needed protection from armor-piercing ammunition and we added increased ballistic protection to an already great product – that’s continuous innovation,” said Arie Groeneveld, chief engineer, Ford Police Interceptors.
In addition to armor-piercing protection, Ford also offers several other options designed to better protect officers. Other features include a 75-mph rear crash test rating, police-tuned suspensions, police brakes, steel wheels, unique police interiors as well as a range of upfit options.