2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit now able to prevent ambush of officers from the rear

A couple of days ago, Ford came out with their pursuit-rated F-150 Police Responder, and we were quite impressed with what it has to offer. And we are pretty sure police officers were too.

Now, it is Dodge’s turn to show what they have got. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had just announced their new Officer Protection Package for the 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles. The new package enables the car to alert officers of danger behind the car, and it doesn’t just warn them, as the car is programmed to take action in response to these potential danger - just like what we see in movies.

Jeff Kommor, FCA vice president of US sales operations, fleet and small business sales say that the company made this special package as a result of their focus on their officer’s safety in the Charger Pursuit. He also noted that they worked with the Police Advisory Board, and got some input and guidance from them so they can enhance the capabilities of technology for the 2018 model year. So what Dodge has come up with are additional sensors to ensure that their officers have an expanded field of protection, and so that they are always aware of what’s around them.

The technology is actually based on the automaker’s ParkSense, or their rear park assist system, along with the ParkView rear backup camera, and Rear Cross Path detection that covers the cross traffic alerts. Actually, these features are not new to Dodge as many of their other vehicles come with the same system. But the police-spec Chargers get the InterMotive that other models don’t. This gives police officers a Surveillance Mode Module where all the features are made to work together to create a more complex system that can monitor, at the same time, react to potential threats.

When we say the Charger “reacts” to these threats, we don’t mean for it to attack the threat. Instead, it sends passive alerts to the police officers, and lets them do the work. What it does to protect passengers though is that it locks doors, puts windows up, and flashes the reverse lights and tail lights. By doing this, threats or attackers would be alarmed, and it will also buy the officers some time to react to the situation. Furthermore, there is going to be a rear view camera installed, so whoever is driving can easily see what’s happening at the back.

The company’s latest Surveillance Mode Module can be installed as a free upgrade to all 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles.

PRESS RELEASE

FCA US Extends Officer Protection Package to 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit

FCA US LLC has enhanced the capabilities of its Officer Protection Package and has extended the program to 2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit law enforcement vehicles.

The Officer Protection Package is designed to increase an officer’s situational awareness when parked and working inside the Charger Pursuit.

“The Officer Protection Package is the result of our continued focus on officer safety in our Charger Pursuit,” said Jeff Kommor, Vice President – U.S. Sales Operations, Fleet and Small Business Sales. “With critical input and guidance from our Police Advisory Board, we have enhanced the technology’s capabilities for the 2018 model year with additional sensors to provide officers with an expanded field of protection.”

First offered by FCA US and InterMotive Inc. on the 2017 Charger Pursuit, the Officer Protection Package will continue to be available at no cost to U.S. law enforcement agencies in the 2018 model year.

The Officer Protection Package uses InterMotive’s Surveillance Mode Module™ with FCA’s Fleet Safety Group technology – ParkSense rear park assist system, ParkView rear backup camera, and Rear Cross Path detection – to alert officers when movement at the rear of the vehicle is detected.

The Rear Cross Path detection is new to the package for the 2018 model year. This system warns drivers of lateral traffic when backing out of parking spaces. When InterMotive’s module is activated – by simply pressing the Aux 1 button on the steering wheel – these additional sensors will be turned on, significantly increasing the area monitored and providing additional security for the officer.

If and when the sensors detect motion, a chime will sound to alert the officer of potential danger in the area. The officer can immediately see what is behind the vehicle via the camera monitor. At the discretion of the law enforcement agency, the tripped sensors can initiate any or all of the following: a signal for the doors to lock, front windows to roll up, reverse lights to turn on and tail lights to flash, all automatically, giving the officer a few extra seconds to react to the situation.

The Officer Protection Package, provided by FCA US and InterMotive and easily installed (plug and play) by the law enforcement agency, is available effective immediately on all 2018 Charger Pursuit U.S. orders.