Sheriff explains need for full-sized sedans for detectives

Sheriff Gary Maha told the Ways and Means Committee today that for new detective vehicles, nothing else but full-size sedans will really do.

Those smaller cars aren’t made to hold up under our driving conditions," Maha said. "They’re not made for police work."

Maha also said smaller sedans are less safe and detectives need all the trunk space of a full-sized sedan.

Highway Superintendent Tim Hens had presented bids for the county to buy three new sedans for detectives at Tuesday's Public Service Committee meeting and questioned were raised about the expense of big cars.

Maha appeared before the Ways and Means Committee today to explain the need for them.

Hens also came with additional information on the purchase.

It turns out, stepping down from a Chevy Impala to a Malibu would save only $200 per car.

That's because the GM fleet discount for Impalas is more than $1,000 greater for the bigger car.

There also wouldn't be a significant savings on gas, with the Malibu rated at 34 miles per gallon highway and the Impalas getting 29 mpg.

"If the different was a $1,000 I’d tell you to cram the stuff into the smaller trunk, but for $200, I’m more than happy to pay that," Legislator Jay Grasso said.

Maha said a typical detective carries in his trunk a shovel, muck boots, an arson kit, a DNA kit, camera equipment, a fingerprint kit, a crime scene kit, the hardware for the car's communications and computer-related supplies.

The lowest bid for the Impalas, at $20,010 per car, came from Ken Barrett Chevrolet in Batavia.