Our SPF200 Heritage – The Beetle Patrol Car

[dudez7]

 

[Carbon82]

...the Beetle’s design made it difficult for suspects who were seated at the back to escape from the vehicle.

Err when is SPF going to get another 2 door hatchback / Coupé / sedan for the same reason? Maybe the 2021 Volvo C30 or BMW 2er or even Subaru BRZ? 

[Inlinefour]

hearsay next batch mata chia M8 xDrive coupe competition after current F30 LCI 

 

they need for chasing eScooter 

 

you are right @Carbon82 coupe can lock the scooter rider safely behind 

[RickyWee]

https://mothership.sg/2020/05/spore-police-cars-used-to-be-volkswagen-beetles-in-the-70s/

Given how stylish Volkswagen Beetles are today, it can come as a surprise that they were used as police patrol cars in the 1970s.

Here's what it looks like:

Dispatched to emergencies

According to a Facebook post by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Police Radio Division used Volkswagen Beetles to patrol neighbourhoods and commercial districts.

The cars were dispatched to respond to incidents or crime scenes, such as robberies or gang fights which were common occurrences back then.

The Beetle’s design made it difficult for suspects who were seated at the back to escape from the vehicle, it was accessible only from the front.

The Police Radio Division along with the "999" hotline was established at the Lower Barracks at Eu Tong Sen Street in 1948.

According to Remember Singapore, the top floor of the building was converted into a 24-hour radio-linked operation room to attend to any emergencies that were reported via the hotline.

The police would then dispatch their radio cars in islandwide operations in response to the emergencies.

Here's a photo of said Beetles at the Police Radio Divison in 1973:

Decommissioned in 1982

The cars may have since been decommissioned since 1982, they are still a very treasured part of the SPF's history.

They have also since been immortalised as 1:43 and 1:18 diecast collectibles that you can buy online, though online sales of the collectibles are currently suspended during the Circuit Breaker period.

Neat.

You can see the SPF's Facebook post in full here:

 

[Hamburger]

So mata should buy a coupe instead of a 4 door? 

[Rickster]

Ah...now I know why the old folks always seems to call these patrol cars as police radio cars.

[Carbon82]

Actually back in the old days, where choice for suitable model are much lesser, Beetle served it purpose. 

On the other continent, there were Porsche 911s and 914 being used as fire engine, albeit serving only on race track.

[Soya]

On 5/22/2020 at 2:15 PM, Rickster said:

Ah...now I know why the old folks always seems to call these patrol cars as police radio cars.

Wonder what the millennials will call this fierce law enforcing beast of their growing up years?