The University of Minnesota Police Department has purchased 27 vehicles since 2021, with 2024 being the most expensive year, according to data from UMPD.

Most of the 27 vehicles were purchased in 2024 and 2022, but 2024 was the most expensive year, costing approximately $614,178. Coming in second, 2022 cost approximately $571,664, according to UMPD data. 

First-year student Sofia Littlefield said she sees the flashing lights from the UMPD police cars regularly and sees them patrolling around campus pretty often.

“Almost every time I walk to class, I’ll see at least one,” Littlefield said. “Whether or not they’re parked or just on the road.” 

Cars play a big role in UMPD officers’ daily routine and maintaining a collection of public safety vehicles takes a lot of planning and consideration, University spokesperson Jake Ricker said in a statement.

“Patrol vehicles function as mobile offices for officers working 10-hour shifts and have much more equipment than a standard car or truck might,” Ricker said in the statement.

New police vehicles are purchased to replace old cars to ensure reliability and safety, as well as provide cars to new staff, Ricker said in the statement. 

“As the Department of Public Safety has hired more police officers and community service officers, more vehicles have been needed to support additional personnel and the initiatives they support, like the mutual aid expansion pilot in Dinkytown and the Gopher Chauffeur program,”  Ricker said in the statement.

Since 2021, UMPD has purchased 27 vehicles, according to data from the UMN Department of Public Safety. 

Thirteen of those vehicles are Ford Interceptors, with seven of them purchased throughout 2024, each worth about $48,023. These are SUV vehicles that Ford makes specifically for police use, according to the Ford website.

Along with the Ford Interceptors, UMPD also has a handful of Chevrolet Tahoes, purchasing seven in 2022, according to UMPD data. 

In 2024, UMPD also purchased a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van for $235,800, according to UMPD data. This made 2024 the most expensive out of the last five years for vehicle purchases, totaling approximately $614,178.

Most vehicles are used for patrolling, while others may be used for moving equipment or for K9 units, Ricker said in the statement.

“Other DPS vehicles are equipped to effectively respond to more novel situations, such as active threats and prolonged or large-scale safety events,” Ricker said in the statement. 

Vehicles UMPD purchased in the last five years that are not typical patrol cars include a Harley-Davidson motorbike in 2022, two Ford F150s in 2023 and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in 2024, according to UMPD data.

Ricker said in the statement that vehicles are used for a wide range of tasks, including moving light and camera trailers. 

The process to buy a new police vehicle can be complicated, because few vehicle companies make cars for law enforcement to use, Ricker said in the statement. Additionally, COVID-19 caused manufacturing shutdowns and delays and created a nationwide backlog in orders. 

“Even today, law enforcement vehicles continue to face longer wait times due to their specialized nature, contributing to higher operating costs, increased maintenance needs, and extended timelines for vehicle replacements,” Ricker said in the statement.