A 2023 Indiana State Police Dodge Durango is shown on lift and under repair at a dealership. Provided image
The Indiana State Police say troopers are too often being curbed by the department's decision to transition from the use of Dodge Charger vehicles to Dodge Durangos.
ISP said it ordered 516 Durangos, valued at nearly $26 million, and 219 were issued over the past year to troopers.
During that time, 39 of the vehicles or 18% experienced mechanical failures due to a defective oil cooler, police said.
ISP Superintendent Doug Carter has reportedly spoken with a Chrysler representative and was not given a timeline to resolve the matter.
"A fully equipped ISP Dodge Durango costs approximately $50,000," police said. "During the month of May 2024, ISP had 15 Dodge Durangos experience this oil cooler failure. The average downtime for an engine replacement/repair is four-to-eight weeks."
"This downtime creates a huge burden on fleet operations, a significant loss of confidence in the vehicle by ISP personnel, and an ineffective loss of public service while the Trooper cycles in and out of a pool car to perform their daily duties," according to ISP.
Carter said, "ISP has used Dodge as our primary police vehicle provider for the last decade-and-a-half, it is unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this precarious position. We’re having to sideline brand new vehicles, losing out on their value and functionality. The citizens and taxpayers of Indiana are being shortchanged and deserve better."
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