INDIANA — The Indiana State Police (ISP) officially welcomed two powerful new additions to its patrol fleet, unveiling the Dodge Durango SUV and the return of the Ford Mustang at a ceremony today.
At the event held at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis, 20 probationary troopers from the 87th ISP Recruit Academy received the keys to their first patrol vehicles. These troopers will be the first to drive the new, specially designed Dodge Durango SUVs, which are replacing older models in the fleet.
In a notable move, the ISP is reintroducing the Ford Mustang for specialized patrol duty. Five specially selected veteran troopers were issued the high-performance cars, all featuring a color scheme that matches the new Durangos. The Mustang previously served in the ISP’s fleet for speed enforcement between the late 1980s and early 2000s.
The 20 probationary troopers graduated from the academy in July and have since completed their field training, marking the beginning of their independent patrols across the state.
Top state and law enforcement officials, including Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott, and representatives from Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, attended the unveiling.
The introduction of the new Durangos and the re-establishment of the Mustang fleet signal a significant update to the tools used by ISP to patrol Indiana’s roads and highways.
The Dodge Durango Pursuit is specifically engineered for law enforcement use, featuring heavy-duty components and specialized interior options for police work.1
Here are the key technical specifications for the 2025 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicle:
2025 Dodge Durango Pursuit Technical Specifications
| Feature | Standard (V6) Specification | Available (V8) Specification |
| Engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Horsepower | 293 hp @ 6,400 RPM | 360 hp @ 5,150 RPM |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM | 390 lb-ft @ 4,250 RPM |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic (TorqueFlite) | 8-Speed Automatic (TorqueFlite) |
| Drivetrain | Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| Suspension | Police-Tuned Suspension | Police-Tuned Suspension |
| Brakes | Heavy-Duty Four-Wheel Disc Antilock Brakes (ABS) (BR9) | Heavy-Duty Four-Wheel Disc Antilock Brakes (ABS) (BR9) |
| Alternator | Heavy-Duty 220-Amp Alternator | Heavy-Duty 220-Amp Alternator |
| Max Towing | Up to 6,200 lbs | Up to 7,200 lbs |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 24.6 Gallons | 24.6 Gallons |
Law Enforcement-Specific Features
The Pursuit model includes several key modifications designed for patrol duty:
- Police Interior: Includes vinyl floor covering (for easy cleaning), police-specific front seats with duty belt accommodations, and often a rear seat delete option (or a vinyl rear seat) to accommodate prisoner partitions and equipment.
- Electronics Prep: Features a Vehicle Systems Interface Module (VSIM), which simplifies the integration of police equipment (lights, siren, radios).
- Shifter Location: Equipped with an Instrument Panel-Mounted Shift Lever, freeing up crucial center console space for computers and police radios.
- Cooling: Includes an Upgraded Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling Package to manage the thermal stress of long idling periods and high-speed driving
- Safety Technology: Standard features include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Path Detection, ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera, and an electronic stability control system.
The combination of AWD capability, powerful engine options, and heavy-duty components makes the Durango Pursuit a robust vehicle suited for a variety of law enforcement needs.
Technical Specifications: Police Ford Mustang GT (Estimated)
The ISP’s Mustangs are likely based on the current generation of Mustangs. They are used primarily for high-speed enforcement and specialized highway patrols, rather than typical patrol duties that often involve prisoner transport.
| Feature | Estimated Specification (Based on Mustang GT 5.0L V8) |
| Engine | 5.0L Coyote V8 |
| Horsepower | 480 – 486 hp (depending on model year/exhaust option) |
| Torque | 415 – 418 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic (Standard for most police fleets) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) |
| Top Speed | Estimated 155 mph (Manufacturer’s limit on civilian models) |
| Braking | Upgraded Brembo Brakes (Often included via the Performance Package) |
| Suspension | Performance-Tuned Suspension (Often included via the Performance Package, which adds heavy-duty springs and a bigger sway bar) |
| Rear Differential | Torsen Limited-Slip Rear Differential (Typically included with the Performance Package, essential for high-performance handling) |
| Interior Mods | Custom console for police radio/computer, specialized wiring for emergency lights and siren. |
Key Differences from Standard Police Interceptors
It’s important to note how the Mustang differs from the factory-built, pursuit-rated SUVs and sedans:
- Not Factory Pursuit-Rated: The Mustang GT is a high-performance civilian vehicle in its own right. Agencies like the ISP modify it for police use. Still, it does not carry the same 75-mph rear-impact crash rating or heavy-duty chassis reinforcements found on the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer).
- Specialized Role: Due to its two-door layout and RWD, the Mustang is generally not used for patrol work or prisoner transport. It is a specialized interceptor designed to patrol high-speed zones and pursue vehicles that the larger SUVs cannot catch.
- Cost: Agencies often find that the final, outfitted cost of a high-performance Mustang GT is comparable to a fully loaded Police Interceptor Utility, making it a viable option for a specialized role.
The ISP’s decision to reintroduce the Mustang to its fleet reintroduces a high-performance, iconic vehicle for maximum speed enforcement purposes.
