New Broome County Sheriff Patrol Vehicles Will Sport a New Look

For several decades, highway patrol units used by the Broome County Sheriff's Office have featured red and black lettering on a white background. That's about to change.

The department's fleet is receiving new Chevrolet and Ford models to replace some older vehicles.

Sheriff Fred Akshar said "we're moving to all-black vehicles with gold lettering." He told WNBF News the new look is somewhat similar to the vehicles that have been in use for a few years by the Tioga County Sheriff's Office.

Akshar said his agency has ordered six Chevrolets and two Fords to add to the highway patrol fleet this year. The Chevy Tahoes have arrived but the county is awaiting delivery of the Ford vehicles.

Only one of the Tahoes has been fully equipped and put on the road so far.

The vehicles have a plain black exterior when they're delivered to the sheriff's office. The graphics including lettering and decals will be added by a Rochester company.

Akshar noted new vehicles have been difficult to obtain over the past couple of years. He said the units the department is receiving are "desperately needed" to replace vehicles that have racked up some high mileage.

Other area police agencies also have been phasing in black patrol vehicles as they update their fleets.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.