Big Island police now using pickup trucks as duty vehicles
The Hawaii Police Department announced today that effective immediately, police officers are authorized to use pickup trucks with an open bed as taxpayer-subsidized police vehicles.
In the coming weeks, Hawaii Island residents may see more subsidized police pickup trucks on the road and more officers driving pick-up trucks with blue lights and sirens while on patrol.
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Officers are authorized to use “crew cab” configurations with four full sized doors, including the following models:
• 2021-2023 Ford F150 Crew Cab, short bed
• 2021-2023 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
• 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 1500 Crew Cab, short bed
• 2019-2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab, short bed
• 2019-2023 Ram 1500 (5th generation/nonclassic) Crew Cab short bed
“Given that Hawaii Island encompasses vast swaths of rural — and very rugged — terrain, we anticipate our police officers will be able to serve the community better, faster and most importantly, safer,” Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said in a statement.
If motorists see one of these police vehicles in their rear-view mirror with blue emergency lights illuminated, please slow down and pull over. Officers operating pickup trucks with blue lights atop the vehicle should be in uniform.
Motorists unsure about a police vehicle are advised to slow down, pull over, and call the police nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311 to verify the officer’s license plate.
