Sheriff's Cars Get a New, Black and White Look

Bay City News Service

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office patrol cars will soon be sporting a slick new look.

The patrol fleet of 80 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, which are currently white with a brown and black stripe, will be changed to a black-and-white color scheme to help make them more clearly identifiable to the public, sheriff's office officials said.

"The new paint scheme will increase the visibility of our patrol units and bring us more in line with other law enforcement agencies throughout the county," said Sheriff David Livingston. "It will also more clearly identify the vehicle as representing the Office of the Sheriff."

The new design will include a seven-point star and the words "Sheriff" and "Contra Costa County" on the side in black lettering outlined with gold, and the word "Sheriff" on the trunk.

The transition to the new look will take place gradually over several years, as patrol cars are replaced or repaired for body damage. A few cars sporting the new black-and-white paint job are already in service.

The county conducted a study on the feasibility and costs of converting the fleet before making the change. The exact cost of the change is not yet known because it will depend in part on whether manufacturers offer new vehicles in a black and white model or not. At most, the new paint job could cost $400 to $500 more per vehicle, according to Undersheriff Mike Casten.

Several other sheriff's offices around California use similar color schemes including the counties of Napa, Sacramento and Ventura.