This is why your average police car isn't armored

You might think all police cars are armored vehicles with bulletproof glass, but this isn’t the case.

The technology is proven and widely used in military and government transport.

Despite that, law enforcement agencies rarely put armor on standard police cars.

Speed, cost, and practicality remain the deciding factors.

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How armor affects car performance

Performance is the first concern. Armor and bulletproof glass add weight that slows acceleration, reduces handling, and affects braking.

A police car must be able to move quickly in pursuits, navigate city streets, and respond without delay.

Extra armor makes those tasks harder.

Cost is the second barrier.

Armoring one police car can cost between $25,000 and $140,000.

For departments with large fleets, the expense is far beyond their budgets.

Heavier armored vehicles also strain suspension, brakes, and doors, leading to higher maintenance bills.

Practical limits add to the case against armor too.

Bulletproof glass works against small arms fire but often becomes opaque after impact, reducing visibility.

Reinforced panels and doors are heavy and slow to operate.

These drawbacks make armored vehicles less useful for daily law enforcement work.

Even in major cities, where the threat level can be higher, departments often decide against armor.

The standard police car remains the most practical choice because it is faster, cheaper, and easier to maintain.

When armored vehicles make sense

Some law enforcement agencies do field armored vehicles, but only for specific operations.

The Lenco BearCat, for example, carries rifle-resistant glass, reinforced plating, and run-flat tires.

Weighing around 20,000 pounds, it is built for tactical missions rather than routine patrols.

These vehicles are deployed in situations involving gunfire or explosives.

Law enforcement uses them selectively, since they are heavy, slow, and unsuitable for pursuits.

Bulletproof glass and armored panels provide protection, but their role is limited.

But most law enforcement continues to rely on the standard police car for daily duties.

Armored vehicles remain specialized tools, while cost, performance, and practicality keep armor out of regular patrol cars.

The Beast, used to transport the president, is of course, heavily armored. And there are two of them.

In fact, The Beast is one of the most heavily armored cars on the planet, and costs about $1.5 million.

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