Do all Police Cars have a GPS system installed?

Question

I want to become a cop, but i am not the best with directions, so i am wondering do all police cars have them installed?

I am talking a GPS Navigation where you have a voice telling you where to ago after inputing a destination, like how many new cars have. Not a GPS tracker where they can track where the police car is.

Answer 1

No, and I'm not aware of any in the country that do. Police vehicles are relatively cheap compared to the retail market. Ford Crown Victoria's average at $12,000 USD each and many of them don't even have a stereo in them because it can knock of a few hundred dollars in the price. When the department buys the cars in bulk, it can means thousands less in cost.

The only GPS devices in pretty much any police vehicle is as a location device. This allows the dispatchers to know where the closest units are to an incident, to find a car if it is stolen and to get help to an officer should they be kidnapped or in serious trouble. As far as directions, the dispatcher will be able to give you the closest intersection and directions on how to get there if you need/want them. If you don't feel like asking for directions, you should get a map or get familiar with the area.

Answer 2

No, not all do. You check with the agency for which you plan to apply. There are certain systems available but each comes with a cost. Some police departments have the latest and greatest while some have the minimum. Don't worry too much about your familiarity with the area, most agencies have a FTO or field training officer which you will work with for a period of time. Take this time to learn your patrol and you will do fine.

Answer 3

Thanks, I needed to laugh today!! Most departments will not have anything even remotely close to GPS. I do know some officers who have purchased their own GPS and use it with their laptops in their units. This is especially useful in a rural department like a sheriff's office where there are no street signs and your reporting party's best directions are "turn left at the big cedar tree".

Answer 4

You have got to be kidding. Most municipalities are so cheap we often wondered if they would pay for our gas. GPS is a dream. The only way they will give GPS to cops is to track their movements and mess with them. Here the EMS has them in their ambulances and they get wrote up by a supervisor if they think they are speeding by their GPS....

Answer 5

Why, where'd you dump it? No, many academies give you Roadrunner brand maps of the district to be patrolled to study, and quiz you until you can give directions to and from streets and named buildings, traveling from different directions. Large precincts sometimes have GPS systems on thier cars, and typically won't let thier officers know, mostly because they know that some officers do some rotten things in thier cars, and they want to do thier job, even to each other haha!

Answer 6

Unfortunately no, only large well financed departments might have them (and that's not a guarantee). Most of the smaller departments would not, however after a few weeks you will learn the area (either town or county) very well and wouldn't need directions, you'd already know where it's at.

Answer 7

I've never heard of them having a GPS system. I know their cars have a 'hockey puck' on the truck that tracks the car's every move for headquarters.

Usually, dispatch will give you and address and reference a cross street.

Answer 8

I live in a county where there are only 7 deputies, plus the elected Sheriff. They'd all love to have those dash-cams, but the county can't afford it.

Answer 9

Nope....most do not, but you owrk the same area over and over again, and you dont even remember how the car gets to the address.

Answer 10

Sometimes I wonder as long as it takes them to get there when you need them,