Police cars of the past used to display little more than a star on the side of the vehicle. The usual look for the car was black, with reversed white door panels and the official city emblem or star was emblazoned on the side. Today, the look of police cars range from friendly and approachable "community peacekeepers" to intimidating “SWAT-style enforcers,” to low profile “stealth” vehicles.
This week I explored the police car graphics from just one company, ranging from quiet "stealthy" looks to bold super swooshes, colors and mostly san serif italicized fonts. There is the occasional serif font, the rogue Brush Script, and so far no examples of Comic Sans (but still looking). Bearing in mind that fast moving emergency vehicles need to be noticed, and seen — here is a cross section of what I found in police car graphics — or should I say, grafix. In a shoppe… even.
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.01_525.jpg)
A look back: Vintage police car, 1950s
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.02_525.jpg)
A look back: Vintage police car, 1950s
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.03_525.jpg)
Stealth Vehicle, Leavenworth, KS
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.04_525.jpg)
Crown Victoria, Pelham, AL
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.05_525.jpg)
Crown Victoria, Birmingham, AL
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.06_525.jpg)
Crown Victoria, West Milwaukee, WI
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.07_525.jpg)
Chevy Caprice, Tigerton, WI
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.08_525.jpg)
Chevy Caprice, Wentzville, MO
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.09_525.jpg)
Ford Taurus Interceptor, Kenai, AK
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.10_525.jpg)
Ford Taurus Interceptor, Centennial Lakes, MN
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.11_525.jpg)
Ford Taurus Interceptor, Stillwater, MN
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.12_525.jpg)
Dodge Charger, Fairfax, VA
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.13_525.jpg)
Dodge Charger, Isanti, MN
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.14_525.jpg)
Chevy Impala, Belgrade, MT
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.15_525.jpg)
Stealth Vehicle, Bonneau, SC
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.16_525.jpg)
Ford Explorer Interceptor, East Orange, NJ
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.17_525.jpg)
Ford Explorer Interceptor, Hudson, WI
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.18_525.jpg)
Ford Explorer Interceptor, West St. Paul, MN
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.19_525.jpg)
Ford Explorer Interceptor, Port Authority, Pittsburgh
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.20_525.jpg)
SUV K-9 Police Car, Fridley, MN
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.21_525.jpg)
SUV Police Car, Holland, MI
![Graphics of Authority](/media/images/11.24.13.22_525.jpg)
Specialty Police Car, DARE Program, Beltrami County, MI
Comments [3]
11.24.13
11:56
11.24.13
12:10
http://www.tampabay.com/resources/images/dti/rendered/2011/08/b4s_armored082311_187885a_8col.jpg
http://www.wbrz.com/images/news/2012-08/tampapolice.jpg
12.06.13
07:31