A MAJOR police department has splashed out on a $150,000 Tesla Cybertruck - but it won't be used to chase criminals.
The quirky EV, which has faced multiple recalls since its release last year - including issues with the accelerator and windshield wipers - comes kitted out with flashing lights and a storage space for weapons.
Police in California unveiled the new vehicle for their Irvine fleet in a recent video shared on social media, revealing that it is “the first police cybertruck in the nation.”
But while it may look the part, the Cybertruck is unlikely to see any proper action and will be mostly used for show.
The Irvine Police department plans to use the Elon Musk creation as part of its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in a bid to make its anti-drug events at schools more engaging.
However, the Irvine PD said it will still be capable of responding to emergencies and assisting the local community when required.
In a post on their Facebook page, the department said: "For over three decades, our D.A.R.E. officers have driven attention-grabbing and one-of-a-kind vehicles that never fail to turn heads and excite student."
Irvine's D.A.R.E. program, which has been running for 40 years, is known for using unique vehicles to connect with students.
Police spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp said: “The goal has always been to have a unique vehicle that doesn’t look like a police car, that is approachable by kids and students to encourage interaction between officers and our schools and our community.”
Kitted out by Unplugged Performance, who are world-renowned for their premium upgrades for Tesla vehicles, the Cybertruck comes with emergency lights, custom graphics, and police communications tech inside the cabin, as well as a space for weapons.
Since its launch, the Cybertruck has commanded plenty of attention for itself.
Its launch event was particularly memorable, with Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, accidentally shattering one of its windows while attempting to demonstrate its toughness.
The massive slab-shaped vehicle has previously been dubbed "indestructible" when its creator unveiled the bulletproof car back in 2019.
Despite concerns, Oldoerp said the police department isn’t worried and even mentioned that recalls are routine for their fleet.
What's more, a Tesla repair facility is located nearby to handle any issues they may have.
Ordinarily, the department will fork out $116,000 for a standard patrol car, the Ford Interceptor, compared to the $150,000 price-tag for the Cybertruck.
But while the Interceptor typically lasts three to four years, the Cybertruck is expected to serve for a decade.
Better yet, they believe they'll save $6,000 in fuel over the next five years thanks to its electric power.
A host of A-list celebs have been spotted behind the wheel of a Cybertruck, including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Shaq, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Pharrell Williams.
