The Ford F-150 Police Responder Is The News Rural Bad Guys Won't Want To Hear

Check out the very first pursuit-rated pickup truck designed for service duty in America. Built to chase members of the criminal classes both on-road and off it, Ford says the F-150 Police Responder is the first vehicle of its kind to be fully approved for law enforcement.

It can only achieve speeds of 100mph but should be capable of bashing along nicely off the beaten track thanks to the 470lb ft of torque overflowing from the 3.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged V6. It’s linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission and, of course, four-wheel drive for all the traction it needs.

The body is military-grade aluminium-alloy while the double-cab ‘SuperCrew’ layout gives it plenty of space into which officers can bundle crims. It can tow a decent 3.2 tonnes, too, or 7000lbs in American.

Police-specific upgrades include a specially-calibrated braking system for serious stopping power and a police-calibrated speedometer. The tyres are all-terrain items and there’s a 240-amp alternator included to power on-board electronics. The crucial parts of the underbody have been protected with metal skid plates.

Designed primarily for rural areas patrolled by sheriffs’ departments, border patrol agencies and game authorities, the F-150 Police Responder can be upgraded further or fitted out to any particular force’s specific needs. And at least this is the real deal, unlike the Rolls-Royce we saw last weekend…