Spokane Police Department is piloting electric Teslas

SPD has been piloting electric Teslas as patrol cars. One big problem? The officers can't fit with their equipment inside.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Feb. 28, 2022

A Tesla sedan used by the Spokane Police Department.

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Spokane Police Officer Shane Phillips shows how an officer's laptop, used to receive calls and display information about people and automobiles, actually hides the permanently mounted car controls on a touch screen in the police version of the Tesla sedan currently being tested by the police department in Spokane, Washington. To access the car controls for things like lights and windsheld wipers, the officer's laptop must be closed and shifted out the way. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The police version of the Tesla sedan currently being tested by the police department in Spokane, Washington. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The police version of the Tesla sedan is currently being tested by the police department in Spokane, Washington. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Spokane Police Officer Shane Phillips on Thursday shows how an officer’s laptop, used to receive calls and display information about people and automobiles, actually hides the permanently mounted car controls on a touch screen in the police version of the Tesla sedan currently being tested by the police department in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The police version of the Tesla sedan is currently being tested by the police department in Spokane, Washington. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. It is shown near an older Ford Crown Victoria, a longtime police car platform.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A modern LED spotlight is mounted on the police version of the Tesla sedan which is currently being tested by the police department in Spokane, Washington. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo