The police in Greenfield, Wisconsin want you to know that if you break the law, they will chase you anywhere. Neither mud nor ice nor loose gravel will stop them in their pursuit of justice, for they have a Subaru WRX STI police car now!
Earlier this year the Greenfield Police Department added a 2012 WRX STI to their fleet, enlisting the car's 305 horsepower turbocharged engine and rally-bred all-wheel drive system into the cause of crime fighting.
Police Magazine says the car was was acquired on a courtesy lease from Schlossmann's Subaru City and features a full blue-and-yellow vinyl wrap with the department's logo, rally-style sponsor stickers, a light bar and a cop radio. They use it for community events as well as for nailing speeders:
"We use it for speed enforcement, cruising enforcement, and community service assignments," Chief Brad Wentlandt told POLICE. "It's a great way to connect with the community and sparks dialog with the officers."
Check out more photos of this bad boy here from ace car photog Jay Baumgardner. Luckily, the radio doesn't get in the way of that sweet six-speed manual.
Wisconsin is definitely taking a cue from police departments in other countries like England, Australia and Japan that have also employed WRX-es as police cars. It makes sense when you think about it. It's definitely small by American standards, but it is affordable, practical, can handle all sorts of weather and even has a decent trunk.
It's also not the easiest thing in the world to outrun, on or off the road.
Photo credit Jay Baumgardner
Hat tip to Mike!