For police Ambassadors,end of the road: The force wants faster sedans

Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta said: “We are in the process of buying vehicles like Hyundai Accent and Maruti SX4,that are easy to maintain and save fuel.”

A proposal in this regard was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),seeking to replace all Ambassador cars being used by PCR officials as well as those used by officers of the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police.

“PCR vans will also be replaced. A sub-inspector level officer and a woman commando will be stationed with these cars,” Gupta said.

Police officers were upbeat about the move. “The present fleet of cars are archaic and remind of a feudalistic mindset. This impression has to change. When people think of police vehicles,they should associate it with agility and speed,” said a senior police officer.

Police said they have removed the concept of drivers in the force,with a recent amendment requiring everyone joining the force to have a driver’s licence.

Some officers,however,rued that the police force was losing a “status symbol”. “Though these (new) cars look sleek and are fuel-efficient,nothing can replace the sense of power that an Ambassador car provides,” another police officer said. The Delhi Police Commissioner has already switched to a white Maruti SX4.