Ford Wants to Put Down Crime with Police Pickup Truck

Ford is looking to help police forces pick up bad guys, with the first pursuit-rated pickup truck, the F-150 Police Responder. The coolest police pickup since Walker, Texas Ranger's Dodge Ram. Or maybe the US Border Patrol Raptors.

It starts with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and 375 hp. There is a massive 470 lb-ft of torque, which Ford claims is more than any other pursuit rated police vehicle. Sending that power to the wheels is Ford's 10-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. The drivetrain makes the F-150 capable of 160 km/h while in pursuit or for quick response to emergencies.

The F-150 Police Responder comes on the 3,683 mm wheelbase. That makes it a crew cab with the short box. It's based on the F-150 FX4 off-road model, which gives it underbody skid plates an electronic locking rear differential, and off-road tuned shocks.

The pursuit rated model gets police-calibrated brakes with upgraded callipers and pads, all-terrain tires, and 18-inch alloy. Ford says it has more passenger space than any other pursuit-rated vehicle. Since it's a pickup, it's tops for payload and towing capacity too.

The front seat has power adjustment for the driver and anti-stab plates for both front seats. The back is vinyl, with a vinyl floor for easy cleanup. There is a calibrated speedometer and a gauge that records how many hours the F-150 spends idling.

While the F-150 Police Responder offers a lot of utility, it can be a little thirsty. Fortunately, Ford also offers the Police Responder Hybrid if a force wants to cancel out a truck or two. The F-150 Police Responder should be available early next year.