Cost to equip police car
exceeds estimate

Upfitting a salvaged $32,500 2024 or ’25 Ford Interceptor to be a new police car in Marion has cost $17,184.52.

The final cost exceeded an earlier estimate by nearly $1,000 because of rising costs of parts, city administrator Brian Wells said.

Included are emergency lights, a police console, wiring, a computer mount, a prisoner transport cage, a siren and public address speaker, a gun rack, a radio antenna, and department logos.

“Every piece of equipment installed in this vehicle directly supports officer safety and ensures we can effectively serve and protect the community,” chief Aaron Slater said.

A new Interceptor typically costs $50,000 to $55,000, but outfitting costs might have been proportionally smaller.

The work was not bid out. Superior Emergency Response Vehicles completed the project. It also outfitted a vehicle the city purchased last year.