I suppose this was inevitable: you can now have a Tesla Cybertruck upfitted for police duty. Yes, following in the footsteps of such legendary cars as the Dodge Diplomat or the Volkswagen Rabbit, the Cybertruck can now be had with reds and blues and prisoner partitions and even K9 enclosures, all thanks to Tesla upfitter UP.FIT. The company is part of Unplugged Performance, one of the first Tesla tuning companies. Police departments have been reportedly excited about this, according to publications like Law Enforcement Today, perhaps because it allows for all sorts of RoboCop/Judge Dredd-types of future-cop fantasies to feel a bit more real as law enforcement officers muscle shoplifting teens and deadbeat dads into the back of their electric low-polygon stainless steel land-speeders.
The cop-spec Cybertruck offers a number of enhancements to the consumer-grade truck, which I’ll quote from UP.FIT’s press release to give you the full rundown:
“The UP.FIT Cybertruck combines Tesla’s unparalleled electric vehicle technology with Unplugged Performance’s expertise in vehicle modification and adaptation to deliver a complete turn-key solution to meet the needs of police departments. It features the expected suite of warning lights, sirens, PA system, as well as upgraded radio and computer systems thanks to specialized wiring systems and proprietary integrations. UP.FIT Cybertruck can be customized for tactical, military or search and rescue missions with available prisoner partitions, storage for weapons and specialty tools, K9 enclosures, upgraded vehicle dynamics with specialized UP.FIT Forged wheel and tire packages, braking systems, and optional upgrades for extreme off-road usage, as well as Starlink internet connectivity. Law enforcement agencies and fleet operators will find the UP.FIT Cybertruck a key advancement in practical policing, offering officers the best tools to protect and serve communities effectively.”
The upgraded radio and computer systems and specialized wiring systems I’m curious about; is this referring to the special terminals (like the legendary SCMODS) that cop cars already have, or is this something new and different?
https://t.co/m8yvbWeZtS introduces the world’s first duty-ready Cybertruck. This Next-Gen Patrol vehicle, expands the capability of this new platform for tactical response, patrol and Fire response. The future has arrived, and it’s ready for anything. pic.twitter.com/sJHdGsipg5
— UP.FIT (@UpfitTesla) June 7, 2024
The promo pictures released by UP.FIT include the expected cop-car-with-all-the-cool-lights-on photos, and also a number of photos with military-like tactical gear casually and artfully draped in the interior:
That shot also shows the added control panel of pleasingly illuminated physical buttons, which makes me wonder: is the Cybertruck’s huge center-stack touchscreen employed to act as the cop terminal’s display? Adding another console with a separate display seems a bit absurd, considering what comes in the car already. So far, I’m not sure how this is working, though I believe there is a web browser in Tesla’s software, which could allow for cop-specific software to run in a browser and use some manner of StarLink internet connection. But I’m just guessing.
They’re really enjoying draping that helmet and vest on here.
Okay, okay, we get it, there’s hardcore tactical equipment! This is a big, scary, law-enforcing machine, got it.
The cop-spec Cybertruck has different wheels and tires than the consumer-grade one, too. These aren’t the rugged steelies seen on iconic cop cars like the Ford Crown Victoria, but are custom-forged wheels.
I’d be curious to see how the large bed area is utilized; is it all racks of tactical gear? Is it a dungeon for particularly uncooperative perps? Just open space? Nap area? Maybe they’ll release some pictures of that, too. Same goes for the frunk; what’s in there?
The cop Cybertrucks also seem to have at least a partial black wrap from the beltline down; it’s hard to see in this profile pic, which looks all black:
Those side lights are interesting, too. A three-quarter view here seems to show the upper stainless area more clearly:
I like those searchlights, too.
As I said, I’m not surprised to see police Cybertruck variants; the imposing look of these seems like it would appeal to police agencies, for better or worse. The tone of these is a lot less “protect and serve” and a lot more “pursue and subdue,” but I guess that’s the way the world is at the moment.
Can’t wait for the first ‘accidental’ death in custody due to execution by sharp door frame.
Can’t wait for the first ‘accidental’ death in custody due to execution by sharp door frame.
I’m just imagining all the ways dirty cops could abuse their powers in these. E.g., they could cut a suspect’s fingers by running them down the sharp corners lightly.
I’m more worried about the knife edge on the front edge of the front fenders when they find an excuse to drive into crowds of protesters. The abusive cops are already thinking about all the sharp edges around the truck including by the tailgate that they will find an excuse to use against “uncooperative perps”.
I’m just imagining all the ways dirty cops could abuse their powers in these. E.g., they could cut a suspect’s fingers by running them down the sharp corners lightly.
I’m more worried about the knife edge on the front edge of the front fenders when they find an excuse to drive into crowds of protesters. The abusive cops are already thinking about all the sharp edges around the truck including by the tailgate that they will find an excuse to use against “uncooperative perps”.
So do suspects get to sue both Tesla and their friendly local PD when they get a nasty cut across the carotid being dragged over the threshold into the backseat?
So do suspects get to sue both Tesla and their friendly local PD when they get a nasty cut across the carotid being dragged over the threshold into the backseat?
https://i.gifer.com/6bZx.gif
https://i.gifer.com/6bZx.gif
These are going to be awesome for two reasons: operating costs and fuel availability. Basically you’re looking at power and tires, with the occasional wiper blade change. Cheap. Meanwhile, I’ve lived in areas that have completely run out of gas. No gas. It’s not hard to get electricity back up, but a screwed pipeline is a major issue — and Torch, your gas comes up from Alabama in a pipeline. But I guess you have the ChangLi, so you’re good.
These are going to be awesome for two reasons: operating costs and fuel availability. Basically you’re looking at power and tires, with the occasional wiper blade change. Cheap. Meanwhile, I’ve lived in areas that have completely run out of gas. No gas. It’s not hard to get electricity back up, but a screwed pipeline is a major issue — and Torch, your gas comes up from Alabama in a pipeline. But I guess you have the ChangLi, so you’re good.
There’s something terrifying about how they lovingly drape the camo and armor everywhere in each scene.
Maybe police shouldn’t be marketed to like you’re doing a real-life Call of Duty.
And the blacked-out “ghost” graphics. Seems they lost the plot when it turned from “protect and serve” to “war on the evil bad guys.”
There’s something terrifying about how they lovingly drape the camo and armor everywhere in each scene.
Maybe police shouldn’t be marketed to like you’re doing a real-life Call of Duty.
And the blacked-out “ghost” graphics. Seems they lost the plot when it turned from “protect and serve” to “war on the evil bad guys.”
Hey, Torch,
This has nothing to do with this Tonka truck cosplay post, but I just finished watching Keith Robinson’s new special on Netflix. He talks a whole bunch about his strokes and all the time in the hospital. Quality shitting on nurses material! Thought you might enjoy the recommendation 🙂
Hey, Torch,
This has nothing to do with this Tonka truck cosplay post, but I just finished watching Keith Robinson’s new special on Netflix. He talks a whole bunch about his strokes and all the time in the hospital. Quality shitting on nurses material! Thought you might enjoy the recommendation 🙂
People love to flex their steroids.
People love to flex their steroids.
First of all, we already got Ford Taurus cop cars, just a few decades later than we’d hoped. I’ve even seen them in matte finish paint jobs. I hope the police that drive them do their best to say things like “you’re coming with me.”
Second, law enforcement vehicles are usually hugely standardized to meet (to paraphrase Elwood) cop specs. Even down to things like how officers fit in them wearing all the usual gear.
I don’t imagine this is, so at best, it’s like buying a one-off vehicle for some unusual, non-sustainable purpose. Procurement officers who are on the hook for what governments buy tend to have problems with that sort of thing as it’s difficult to justify – “best value” it’s probably not.
Basically, yet another “tacticool” display vehicle to look intimidating at parades and D.A.R.E. presentations.
First of all, we already got Ford Taurus cop cars, just a few decades later than we’d hoped. I’ve even seen them in matte finish paint jobs. I hope the police that drive them do their best to say things like “you’re coming with me.”
Second, law enforcement vehicles are usually hugely standardized to meet (to paraphrase Elwood) cop specs. Even down to things like how officers fit in them wearing all the usual gear.
I don’t imagine this is, so at best, it’s like buying a one-off vehicle for some unusual, non-sustainable purpose. Procurement officers who are on the hook for what governments buy tend to have problems with that sort of thing as it’s difficult to justify – “best value” it’s probably not.
Basically, yet another “tacticool” display vehicle to look intimidating at parades and D.A.R.E. presentations.
man those vibes are just the worst
man those vibes are just the worst
Imposing isn’t a word I would use for the Cybertruck. I saw my second one on the road just a few minutes ago. The first one I saw prompted the phrase “featureless gray lump” to pop into my head, and this second time, “unfinished” was the descriptor that first came to mind.
The apex-mounted light bar really drives home the “kindergartener drawing his idea of a really cool police car” vibes.
Imposing isn’t a word I would use for the Cybertruck. I saw my second one on the road just a few minutes ago. The first one I saw prompted the phrase “featureless gray lump” to pop into my head, and this second time, “unfinished” was the descriptor that first came to mind.
The apex-mounted light bar really drives home the “kindergartener drawing his idea of a really cool police car” vibes.
how would they secure weapons in the truck. can you really call the rolly-uppy tonneau cover “safe” for weapons? It looks like they just painted it black, put wheels and tires on it and installed a RGB gaming keyboard on the console and called it a day.
how would they secure weapons in the truck. can you really call the rolly-uppy tonneau cover “safe” for weapons? It looks like they just painted it black, put wheels and tires on it and installed a RGB gaming keyboard on the console and called it a day.
I’m not going to echo others about this being a bad/silly/dumb purchase using tax dollars for police departments, as all those points are valid and I agree.
I will, however, say that I am a fan of a black wrap on the Cybertruck. I saw my third Cybertruck last week and it had a matte black wrap that helped it blend into the night so I could see less of it, and if the thing must exist, seeing less of it is a win in my book.