photo by: Sara Shepherd

Kansas University police rolled out new patrol vehicles in May, switching from sedans to SUVs featuring student-designed graphics.

Kansas University police are cruising campus in vehicles with an all-new look.

The KU Office of Public Safety replaced its fleet of marked police sedans (a four-vehicle fleet, that is) with SUVs, which hit the streets in May and are sporting a student-designed logo on the sides.

KU design student Jake Crawford said the logo was inspired by the monochromatic camouflage shorts the KU men’s basketball team donned in 2013 — but it’s a lot more subtle.

photo by: Sara Shepherd

Kansas University police rolled out new patrol vehicles in May, switching from sedans to SUVs featuring student-designed graphics.

The new white SUVs are emblazoned with a blue stripe, the word ‘police’ in big white letters and the Jayhawk mascot on the sides. Instead of being solid blue, the background stripe has a digitized camo pattern you have to see up close to make out.

“I felt the police could take pride in that and feel awesome driving a car with it,” Crawford said.

Crawford’s was one of about 40 design submissions the police department chose from, all created by students in associate professor of design Jeremy Shellhorn’s second-year studio class this spring, interim KU police Chief Chris Keary said.

photo by: Sara Shepherd

Kansas University police rolled out new patrol vehicles in May, switching from sedans to SUVs featuring a student-designed logo. Pictured are digital sketches of the chosen design for KU's new police vehicles, by KU design student Jake Crawford.

The four new Ford Police Interceptor SUVs — a law-enforcement version of the Explorer — cost $109,000 plus costs to apply graphics and install lights, radios and other police equipment, Keary said. They have V6 engines, same as the department’s last vehicles, and Keary said he does not expect a sizeable increase in gas costs.

Up until now, the department has driven sedans, Keary said. The last batch was 2011 Dodge Chargers, and before that 2008 Ford Crown Victorias, which KU and most other law enforcement agencies used for years.

Keary said KU police replace marked vehicles every three to five years, when they reach about 100,000 miles.

New marked vehicles are used 24-7 by the department’s 28 sworn officers, he said.

photo by: Sara Shepherd

Kansas University interim police chief Chris Keary shows some of the equipment stored in the back of one of the Office of Public Safety's new patrol SUVs. KU rolled out new patrol vehicles in May, switching from sedans to SUVs featuring student-designed graphics.

The old cars are semi-retired before being completely retired, Keary said. Markings and most equipment are removed or moved into the new cars, and they’re then driven as undercover vehicles, for out-of-town assignments or for other administrative duties for another 25,000 to 50,000 miles.

“Since it’s their office,” KU police officers were consulted before making the decision to switch from sedans to SUVs, Keary said.

Officers indicated they wanted the extra space for equipment they have in the vehicle with them daily, which includes everything from a gear bag and a rifle to radio and road emergency equipment. They also wanted all-wheel drive.

“We found that the Chargers, which are not all-wheel-drive, were very difficult to drive around in the snow,” Keary said. “We want to be able to have good response in all types of weather … and we do have hills.”