California's not alone. A few other states, such as Florida and Louisiana, also employ the sports cars in their state-trooper fleets. In California, the Camaros stalk speeders in a number of ways. First, the car's low-slung profile makes it generally less noticeable than the CHP's taller, traditional police car, the Ford Crown Victoria. In addition, the CHP mounted specially designed LED sirens to the roof that are smaller than the Crown Vic's sirens and look like a sports- rack from a distance or from a car speeding by. On some versions, the Patrol forgoes a conspicuous black and white paint job for a simple white one that has only a subtle CHP decal on its doors.
When the all-white cars debuted, the new turbocharged arms of the law quickly became infamous among truckers, who over their radios refer to the vehicles as "polar bears." The cars are not exactly popular with middle-aged CHP officers, either. "Older cops don't like them because they're harder to get in and out of," says CHP public information officer Tom Marshall. The low profile, combined with heavy doors, he explains, makes the Camaro precarious for some troopers--as well as California speeders.
