ORANGE : Council OKs Change in Police Car Colors

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new look for police squad cars, which will switch their colors to black and white this summer.

Police officials requested the change because they said their orange and white patrol cars are easily mistaken as vehicles from local companies, and citizens have requested a stronger police identity.

The Fords and Chevrolets from the department garage were painted plain white during the 1960s to present a “less threatening appearance” in volatile times, according to a report filed with the council. In the 1970s, orange striping was added.

But the color combination has proven confusing, police officials said. Officers found that their patrol cars resembled vehicles used by Orange Disposal Service, the Orange County Transit District and other agencies. More serious incidents of mistaken identity include cases in which criminals have committed crimes while posing as police officers in white, four-door cars resembling squad cars, officials said.

“A black-and-white police vehicle leaves little doubt to anyone who observes it, that it is a police vehicle, and is in the area to deter crime,” said Chief Merrill V. Duncan.

About $21,700 from the city’s criminal asset seizure funds will be used to pay for the paint jobs.