MSU police officers might be sporting new rides next year if a possible deal to replace their current squad cars with Chevy Tahoes is worked out.

The current fleet of 13 marked Ford Crown Victorias, have leases that expire at the end of the year, would be replaced by the larger sport utility vehicles when they become available. Originally MSU police had planned for the vehicles to be on the road in September, but those plans have been delayed.

The MSU police already have three four-wheel drive Tahoes, which they use for their K-9 units.

"The General Motors-Chevrolet division got behind on orders because this is a new package they're making available," MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said.

The special police-oriented Tahoe deal Chevrolet is offering includes vehicles with an extra battery, something Dunlap said would prove quite useful.

"It takes an awful lot of power to run the lights, the sirens, the computer in the car, and the radar and all those things, so we have a lot problems when the battery gets drained," Dunlap said.

"So, Chevy worked out a package this year where the car is going to be supplied by two batteries. So all the spare equipment will run off one battery and all the regular car equipment will run off another battery," Dunlap said.

The Tahoes that MSU plans on ordering would all be two-wheel drive, keeping them about the same price as their current squad cars, plus other features such as a three-year warranty opposed to two years, would allow the department to save money, according to Dunlap.

"When we change the equipment from one car to another car, it costs a couple thousand dollars per car," Dunlap said. "So, instead of doing three change-overs in six years, now we'll do two change-overs in six years, and we're hoping to get about a $30,000 savings every three years."

The added room a Tahoe offers as opposed to the Crown Victorias also will increase the safety and availability of the officers and their equipment.

"Our cars now will have our report forms built into the computers, so instead of having our officers come into the station and write up their reports, now we'll be able to leave our cars out on the road and they'll just download that information and automatically send it in," Dunlap said.

Space in general is also a concern in the police vehicles, which often contain weapons, supplies and computer materials, he said.

"They can hold more equipment, so when we go to calls, we won't have to wait for equipment," Lt. Scott Beckner said. "A lot of departments are going to them. Other cars are getting so much smaller. They also have a different suspension system - a little lower."