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Golf fits police chief to a T Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli This silver 2001 Volkswagen Golf, which has Medford police Chief Eric Mellgren behind the wheel, is the latest addition to the department's heavily domestic fleet. Medford experiments with a non-traditional vehicle - with a red light, and 8 speakers By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune The next driver who cuts off a silver Volkswagen Golf, beware - you could be ticketed by Medford's police chief. For almost two weeks, Chief Eric Mellgren has been driving the department's latest acquisition while on duty. The 2001 VW, purchased from Lithia Motors, has a 90-horsepower engine and runs on diesel. "People are going, are you serious? Then they realize we are," Mellgren said. "Obviously we're not going to put patrol guys in here." The purchase of the spunky compact German automobile is part of a pilot project designed to save money for the department. And it comes standard with a kickin' factory-installed CD stereo and eight speakers. Mellgren said the VW gets up to 45 miles to the gallon and is expected to last 300,000 miles. Patrol vehicles are retired between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on each car's condition. "It's actually a more common car in the police world," Mellgren said, citing Europe as an example. "We're trying to both experiment and prove a point." Mellgren will use the vehicle while traveling to meetings or other police functions, but the car's small size won't stop him from ticketing drivers. "The reality is when you get pulled over, you see lights in your rear-view mirror and you don't see what they're attached to," Mellgren said. The unmarked VW won't have outside police lights, but it does have a round, bubble-light that can be placed on the roof. The department also plans to install a rectangular flashing light that will be visible from the rear windshield. It was purchased to replace a recently retired police vehicle - a decision that has been part of the police budget for more than a year, Mellgren added. Depending on the vehicle's success, the police department may purchase more Volkswagens as police cars retire. "This is an experiment, a fun one," Mellgren said. "We've got to get a track record." According to Wayne Pace, the city of Medford's operating supervisor, the VW will join about 70 other vehicles used by the police department. Pace said the make of cars, vans and motorcycles within the department vary greatly. In addition to the Ford Crown Victorias used as patrol cars, Medford police use Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Chevrolets. Medford police spend roughly $6,000 each month on fuel, Mellgren said. Many police vehicles run 24 hours per day and all police vehicles are serviced every 3,000 miles. The average police car lasts seven to 10 years, Pace said. "Most people, when they think of police use and vehicles, they think of lights and sirens. That's not always the case," Pace said. "I think what we're looking at in the future is a whole mix of vehicles that, over the long term, can save money." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.