http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/5249899.html

Oct. 26, 2007, 9:02PM

By MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

The Houston Police Department is adding some muscle to its traffic enforcement efforts.

In a city that loves its cars and trucks, and has no shortage of freeway miles, HPD officials decided to put 10 Dodge Chargers on the streets to help crack down on speeders. The new muscle cars come with a 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter SRT Hemi V8 engine.

Chief Harold Hurtt said the Chargers are distinctive in that they're solid white.

"They are somewhat unmarked, but they do have reflective markings that identify them as HPD vehicles," Hurtt said.

A speeding driver
may have to squint a bit to make out the logo, but Hurtt offered a solution for that problem.

"Slow down every time you see a white car — that's the safe message," he said.

 

we've had those in austin (pflugerville) for over a year, except ours our cobalt blue w/ the reflective markings.

 

I might get them confused with the border patrol chargers down here. Anyways, just keep a good radar to be safe, oh and look for the Texas exempt license plate.

 

so any other color car is game for speeding

 

We've got a silver one down here in the Land of Sugar. I gotta admit it's a bad@ss-looking car.

A stock Evo will still run circles around the 425-hp barge. But, as the fuzz like to say: "You can't outrun a Motorola."

I like the way you think.

 

No... let me rephrase that for you... a stock evo can lose this charger in a section of houston that involves turns and intersections. But there's no way in hell a stock evo will outrun a Charger with 425hp in the straights.

 

Now, now. I did say run "circles".

 

LOL! that is true...

 

lol

 

they handle like crap though! down fall to american muscle!

 

WTHeck?... they passed a law already that says the police can't chase you unless you've proven to be dangerous. Such as if you're known to have a weapon and drug possession etc. Running a stop sign or speeding they won't stop you, just take a photo and leave you alone. I can see more law suites against the city/state happening for cops endangering the public.

 

Who passed a law? Seriously... they will chase whomever they want. Chase policies are usually decided by the chief. I seriously doubt any state would pass a law like that because it basically gives speeders an incentive to run.

 

HPD is so whack. Any jackhole can get a job writing tickets in this city. I got pulled over in George Bush park(Katy) driving my broken speedo'd Buick beater by a guy that seemed more like the Ozarka Water delivery dude than a cop. He could barely speak English.

Heres the req's to be HPD....Hell, an applicant can have 2 tickets on record in past 18 mos, a light criminal record and no college! Peeling potatoes on an aircraft carrier substitutes any college needed!

• Has either (1) completed sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university with a “2.0” average or (2) military service with an honorable discharge.
• Applicants with five (5) full years of active law enforcement experience are exempt from education and military service requirements.
• Age: 21 - 44 years of age, but must not have reached their 45th birthday prior to oath of office or certification.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and resident of the contiguous United States for a period of time sufficient to conduct a comprehensive background investigation. Consideration given for military, overseas assignments.
• Weight in proportion to height.
• Pass all phases of the Work Sample Test (physical agility).
• Valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance.
• No more than (2) moving traffic violations within an eighteen (18) month period preceding the date of application. Driving record should reflect prudence and maturity.
• No felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions. No class B misdemeanor convictions within the past ten years preceding the date of application.
• Previous military personnel must not have been convicted of any court-martial higher than a summary.
• Have a stable credit history, family background, and employment background.

Basicly, an HPD cop with a loaded pistol might have more tickets than you on record in past 2 years! Aint that a phukin beatch!