The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has unveiled a new fleet of low-profile Specially Marked Patrol Vehicles (SMPV) to combat what it calls “video game-styled” driving. These vehicles will be painted in factory colors, allowing them to easily blend into traffic.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said the change in fleet colors would give officers an advantage, stating, “They will allow us to identify and stop drivers who are putting others at risk, while still showing a professional and visible presence once enforcement action is needed.”
According to a CHP press release, California sees over 390,000 crashes yearly and 1,000 reports of reckless driving daily. In 2024, CHP officers issued nearly 18,000 citations to drivers speeding over 100 MPH.
The new vehicles will be 2024 Dodge Durango’s that include:
V8 Hemi engine
Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) Package
Concealed 360 emergency lighting
A version of the CHP badge on the door
Many social media users on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accused the CHP of using the stealth fleet as a money grab to allow them to issue more tickets and increase revenue. Some also raised concerns over the lack of visible markings, saying that the covert design could impact officer and public safety.
They should be bright colors for officer safety and public safety. They don't seem like official vehicles just trying to get more $ from the public.
— CZR ☢️🇺🇸 (@RASEC29) May 8, 2025
When asked about this, Officer Alec Pereyda said, “The assertion that these new patrol vehicles are a “money grab” is false, the purpose of them is to hold egregious violators accountable and improve the safety of California roadways. The CHP does not receive any direct funding from fines, penalties, or fees collected through the citations written by our officers. These vehicles are being used to enhance safety on California’s roadways. Violations of the state’s traffic safety laws, such as speeding, may result in crashes that injure and kill people.”
When asked about concerns over impacts to safety, he made it clear that these are “fully operational, enforcement vehicles that meet all the criteria for law enforcement emergency vehicles under the California Vehicle Code and California Code of Regulations.”
He added that while they are nontraditional in color and markings, they are not unmarked or undercover vehicles, noting that they meet the distinctive colors and configurations required by law.
There will be 100 SMVPs statewide by June, with the first 25 deployed this week. They will be driven by officers in full uniform, primarily on multi-lane freeways.
