During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the future of the School Resource Officer (SRO) police vehicle and the potential sale of an older vehicle in the department's fleet. The conversation centered around the financial implications of trading in the SRO vehicle, which has approximately 40,000 miles and is equipped for patrol use.
Brian, a key participant in the discussion, highlighted that the vehicle in question is the oldest in the fleet and has been quoted for a trade-in value of $75,100. He expressed concerns about the loss of value, noting that most equipment would need to be removed and would not be reusable due to compatibility issues with newer vehicles. The current fleet includes four vehicles, with the SRO typically using the oldest car, which is less frequently driven compared to primary patrol vehicles.
The dialogue revealed that the SRO vehicle is not heavily utilized, with the officer reporting minimal mileage due to the nature of their duties, which often involve short trips. This raised questions about the efficiency of the vehicle rotation system and whether the SRO should be assigned a different vehicle to better distribute mileage across the fleet.
Participants debated the merits of keeping the older vehicle versus selling it, with some suggesting that the SRO could use a newer vehicle to reduce wear on the older models. The discussion also touched on the underutilization of a 2020 pickup truck, which has only 8,700 miles and was initially intended for public works but has not been integrated into regular use.
Ultimately, the meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for a more strategic approach to vehicle rotation and utilization. Officials agreed to explore options for either selling the truck or increasing its use within the department to ensure a more balanced distribution of mileage across all vehicles. The decision-making process will involve assessing the potential resale value of the truck and determining the best way to optimize the fleet's operational efficiency.