Police Package
In North America, the Tahoe is used by many law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS agencies. During the 1997 model year, the Tahoe was offered with the 9C1 police option using suspension components from the discontinued 454SS truck - the first Tahoe 9C1s were available only in 2WD until the GMT400 was phased out. Plans for outfitting the Tahoe with the 9C1 police package originated around the 1994 model year when GM broke news about phasing out its B-platform sedans (Caprice, Impala SS, Roadmaster) at the end of the 1996 model year where a replacement was imminent since GM ended production of its body-on-frame passenger sedans due to SUV sales. Since the introduction of the GMT900, Chevrolet currently offers two versions of the police package Tahoe; a four-wheel-drive version and a two-wheel-drive version.
Chevrolet refers to the four-wheel drive (4WD) version as "Special Service Vehicle" (SSV). This version of the Tahoe can be used for all purposes except pursuits and high speed responses due to its high center of gravity, thus having a higher probability of rolling-over at high speeds. This version is preferred by agencies where snow, ice, flooding, rough terrain, and ground clearance are common issues.
Chevrolet refers to the two-wheel drive (2WD) version - also known as the rear-wheel drive (RWD) version - as "Police Pursuit Vehicle" (PPV). This version of the Tahoe can be used for all purposes including pursuits and high speed responses. The center of gravity in this vehicle is lower than that of the four-wheel-drive version and the ground clearance is about 1 in (25 mm) less, with a standard rear bumper replacing the tow hitch on civilian Tahoes. Highway patrol agencies prefer the two-wheel-drive version, where pursuits and long distance responses are more common. It should be noted that the two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Tahoe is the only pursuit-rated SUV on the market today, and as of the 2012 model year, the last body-on-frame, rear-wheel drive police vehicle manufactured for the United States market since Ford phased out its aging Panther platform. Other SUVs like the Ford Expedition are used by many law enforcement and EMS agencies, but are not pursuit rated.
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Famous quotes containing the word police:
“The duties which a police officer owes to the state are of a most exacting nature. No one is compelled to choose the profession of a police officer, but having chosen it, everyone is obliged to live up to the standard of its requirements. To join in that high enterprise means the surrender of much individual freedom.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)