The Herald Sun reports that coppers down under have developed a "smart" cop car. The Australian National Safety Agency, Victoria Police, Motorola, GM's Holden division and Monash University have created a prototype cruiser by combining a Batcave of crime-fighting equipment: facial and number plate recognition, infra-red scanners, front/rear cameras, an integrated on-board computer and a device "that attaches a sticky GPS transponder to a car being pursued." If civilians don't get out of the way during pursuit, RoboCopCar broadcasts a "direct local radio message warning of an approaching emergency vehicle." LAPD is working with Aussie coppers on the prototype; they're not saying if American modifications will include a coffee maker and donut dispenser.

For the sixth consecutive year, Lexus will hang out its shingle at the National Police Fleet Managers Association Conference in Swindon, UK. According to Easier Motoring, the brand will be "demonstrating the qualities that make Lexus models ideal for police work." ToMoCo's hybrid models, known for their low operating costs and reliability, are already popular with UK law enforcement fleet managers. Meanwhile, the McCook (IL) police department's approaching its patrol car needs from a more "traditional" perspective. Suburban Life reports they've just taken delivery of two Hemified Dodge Chargers. The Chief's making no bones about his carbon-oblivious reasoning: "The new cars are painted metallic black with white graphics that are slightly slanted. McCook Police Chief Frank Wolfe hopes that these graphics give the effect that the cars are moving very quickly, and that they cannot be outrun… 'With the new cars, people will notice us, and hopefully, in most cases that will stop them from committing a crime.'" Old School.