The detachment received a 2013 Ford Interceptor in December and it has, so far, proven to be an asset to the department.
“It’s a huge step up for us from the Crown Victoria, which was discontinued last year,” said Cpl. Addie Maccallum about the car, designed specifically for police use.
“The biggest benefit is the capabilities of the all-wheel drive. Given our climate here in Nova Scotia, it is made with the ability to respond to calls so we can move in a safer and increased capacity.”
The Interceptor was put to the test last week when the Colchester detachment assisted its counterparts in Cumberland County to numerous calls on the Cobequid Pass. Weather on the pass had the police calling area roads ‘treacherous.’
“When I hit the pass, it was a half-inch of sheet ice,” said Maccallum, adding another officer responded in one of the traditional Crown Victoria vehicles. “He had trouble past the toll, but I had no trouble at all with the all-wheel drive handling, the stability and the braking. It’s a huge improvement to the Crown Victoria.”
Based on the Ford Taurus, designers spent two years making the Interceptor with a complete new platform with a higher performance engine, performance brakes and suspension.
“It’s much more advanced than what we had and the amount of technology that has gone into the design is phenomenal,” said Maccallum.
With the Crown Victoria vehicle being phased out, they’ll all be replaced with the Interceptor. The Bible Hill detachment is expecting two more to arrive this month.
“They’re designed for durability,” the corporal said. “Even the rims on this vehicle are designed to withstand a collision with a curb at 40 miles per hour.”
