NYPD to refit hybrid cars for officers' bulky gear

By Christine Hauser
New York Times

NEW YORK — The Police Department’s new hybrid patrol cars are environmentally friendly, but for some officers, they are a pain in the hip.

Officers in all five boroughs have been testing out 58 hybrid Nissan Altimas in a pilot program to deploy the cars, which run on a lower-cost gasoline-fueled engine and electric motor.

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But about three months into the trial, the department has discovered a problem. The officers, bulky with equipment belts that include a holstered Smith & Wesson, do not fit comfortably in the car’s seats, which curl up around the edges. The gun is not in danger of popping out of its holster and discharging accidentally, but the design makes for a clumsy ride, officials said.

Read full story: Beset by Bulk, Police to Refit Hybrid Cars