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Police commander explains why department bought Dodge Durangos for patrol
Summary
A police commander described supply‑chain pressures that prompted Simi Valley police to purchase Dodge Durango SUVs last year, reviewed costs and said the department will continue evaluating platforms for officer safety and performance.
Commander Craig Duncan of the Simi Valley Police Department briefed the City Council on March 10 about the department’s recent purchase of Dodge Durango SUVs as patrol vehicles and why the department chose the platform.
Duncan said supply‑chain and manufacturer retooling created uncertainty for ordering Ford Explorer police‑utility vehicles in 2024. To maintain fleet replacement schedules the department researched alternatives and purchased 11 Dodge Durango utility vehicles last year — six marked and five unmarked — citing similar size and V6 all‑wheel‑drive performance to the Ford Explorer.
Commander Duncan told the council the purchase price for the Durango was about $56,433 per vehicle last year compared with approximately $57,041 for a Ford Explorer in the same period. The department performs equipment upfitting in-house to reduce costs; K‑9 vehicles and other specialized units are upfitted by vendors.
The department bought six Ford Explorers this year after Explorers became available for order again and said future purchases will depend on durability and officer feedback. Duncan noted officers find the Durango a bit more confined, and he identified one safety concern tied to the Durango’s passenger‑side electronic door operation that relies on a key fob; supplying fobs to every officer is cost‑prohibitive and staff are exploring solutions.
After the presentation the council recessed to view the vehicles in a short demonstration and later returned to session. No formal council action was required; the briefing and demonstration were informational.
