UPD moves toward more ‘sustainable’ law enforcement

University Police is adding more hybrid and electric vehicles to the department’s fleet.

UPD purchased two new hybrid sport-utility vehicles this fall, bringing its number of hybrid patrol vehicles to five.

Hybrids now make up 25% of the department’s marked patrol vehicles, with the expectation that number will grow as UB police transition from gas-powered vehicles to more fuel-efficient hybrids.

The hybrid sport-utility vehicle has become increasingly popular with law enforcement agencies. Not only does it provide the durability required for police work, but the hybrids idle far less because when stopped their engines turn off instead of wasting fuel.

“The hybrids were a big step for us, but the technology has definitely improved and they’re doing well for us,” says Scott A. Marciszewski, deputy chief of operations.

Besides the two hybrid SUVs, the department purchased an electric bike to be used as part of its bike patrol unit, as well as an electric utility terrain vehicle, Marciszewski says. The department already has two gas-powered UTVs that it uses for special events and traffic enforcement.

UPD is also looking at purchasing an all-electric truck to stay consistent with the new UB Climate Action policy, Marciszewski says.

Earlier this year, UB enacted its new Climate Action Policy, which among other things, requires that all new vehicle purchases be zero emission.  This work positions UB slightly ahead of a New York State requirement that state agencies such as UB have 100% zero emission vehicle light duty fleets by 2035, or 2040 for medium and heavy-duty fleets.

“We've already invested heavily in transportation electrification through the new Stampede electric bus program and the EV fleet charging infrastructure at Beane Lot, which can support up to 50 university-owned vehicles charging at the same time,” says Ryan McPherson, UB’s chief sustainability officer.

“Obviously, police operations have unique mission requirements and not every vehicle would be a candidate today, but the experience of peer institutions suggests that at least some campus policing applications may be well suited for electrification as the technology continues to mature,” McPherson says.