Paint Color and Marking Styles
The distinctive blue paint color used on Michigan State Police vehicles is one of the few law enforcement vehicle special order (VSO) colors that manufacturers add to their color palette specifically for an agency. Per Michigan State Police specifications, the color is the "same as Dulux 93-032" (and which may be identified by other color designations or codes depending on whether Ford, GM, or Chrysler produced the vehicle to which the paint is applied). MSP is fairly unique in its use of both the blue paint of the patrol cars and the red hue of the rotating overhead light as basic livery; the department has used the blue paint scheme and the current door decals since 1954.
The MSP also utilizes "slick top" patrol units for traffic enforcement. There are two types of traffic cars: the traditional blue patrol car sans the traditional "gumball" light, and a semi-marked variety that is painted in colors other than blue and marked only on the passenger side. Available in tan, red, white, silver, and black, these units also use hidden LED lights to increase their effectiveness and have been extremely successful. Michigan state law requires that police vehicles be marked at least on the passenger side; a law that dates back to the days of the "side stop."
MSP Motor Carrier Enforcement officers who enforce truck safety drive vehicles nearly identical to regular MSP patrol vehicles, except that they have a lighter, sky blue paint color. As of approximately 2008, MSP has changed the vehicles to have the same paint scheme as a regular State Police vehicle, with the exception of the words "Commercial Vehicle Enforcement" on the rear quarterpanels, usually under the window of a Chevy Tahoe or similar vehicle.
Read more about this topic: Michigan State Police, Patrol Vehicles
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