The Police Pickup Market
Police pickups aren’t new. If anything, departments have been using them since, well, the invention of pickup trucks. But these days, we’re seeing even more of them, and not just for specialized duties, as if we needed more headlight patterns to remember.
Unsurprisingly, Ford, GM, and Stellantis have caught on to that by each offering special packages for its pickups. For Ram, that would be the 1500 SSV (Special Service Vehicle) and Heavy Duty SSV. Both trucks were given an update last year, and the 2026 model is ready to report for duty.
Ram
The Package
The 1500 SSV is based on the Tradesman Crew Cab 4×4 trim. It then gets a 26-gallon tank, underbody skid plates, a 400w inverter, and a 115VAC outlet on the bed. Additional features include vinyl flooring, a bed liner, and a bed light. As for power, it’s a choice between the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 305 hp and 271 lb-ft or the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six (standard output) that puts out 420 hp and 469 lb-ft.
As for the Heavy Duty SSV, it gets similar upgrades from the smaller 1500, but with the addition of instrument panel-mounted auxiliary switches. In addition, the Heavy Duty SSV is available in either regular cab (something you can’t get in the 1500) or crew cab body styles. For engines, agencies can go for the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 405 hp and 429 lb-ft, or the 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six turbodiesel that’s good for 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft.
Ram
Not Just for Cops
Notice these pickups are labeled as SSVs and not pursuit vehicles? Like any police package, other government agencies are more than welcome to use them. Fire departments are another common customer for these upfitted pickups.
We can also include park rangers as frequent users of patrol trucks, along with other wildlife agencies. While there’s no mention of whether these pickups are pursuit-rated, it hasn’t stopped some departments from using them for a chase or two. Still, for its purpose, the upgrades made to both pickups should be more than enough for their future duties.
Stellantis also makes other special service vehicles. Effectively succeeding the Charger is the Dodge Durango Pursuit with either the V6 Pentastar or 5.7-liter Hemi V8, both fitted with standard all-wheel drive. The other one is what’s called the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Command Operations Vehicle, perhaps something the police or fire chief would like to add to the fleet. It doesn’t get a Hemi, though, as the sole engine choice is the Hurricane inline-six turbo.
Ram
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor