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.
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.