Yes. Police departments have used Ford Taurus-based patrol sedans, specifically the Police Interceptor Sedan, in the United States and other markets from about 2013 through 2019. Since then, Ford has ended Taurus production, and modern fleets typically rely on other models such as the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer-based) or the Dodge Charger Pursuit.
This article examines the Taurus’ policing era, why agencies adopted it, why production ended, and what vehicles now dominate police fleets.
Historical role of the Taurus in law enforcement
The Taurus Police Interceptor Sedan was introduced as a successor to the Crown Victoria, offering a modern sedan platform with police-focused upgrades. It was adopted by multiple departments during the mid-to-late 2010s as a patrol option during a transition period away from the aging Crown Victoria.
Timeline of adoption and retirement
- Introduction and production window: Ford offered the Police Interceptor Sedan based on the Taurus roughly from 2013 to 2019.
- Purpose and design: The sedan variant was built to handle typical patrol duties with enhanced braking, suspension, communications, and safety equipment tailored for law enforcement.
- Operational footprint: It served in several departments as a patrol sedan during a period of fleet modernization.
- End of Taurus lineup: Ford discontinued the Taurus and its police variant after 2019, shifting focus to other platforms for new purchases.
In summary, the Taurus Interceptor Sedan played a defined, but finite, role in U.S. and some international police fleets before being phased out in favor of newer platforms.
Current landscape and alternatives
Given that Taurus police sedans are no longer produced, the contemporary reality is that most fleets rely on different models designed for patrol and pursuit. The following outlines the dominant options today.
Dominant platforms today
- Ford Police Interceptor Utility (PIU): The Explorer-based PIU is now the leading Ford option for new police vehicle purchases, offering a spacious SUV platform with police-specific equipment.
- Dodge Charger Pursuit: A widely used sedan-based alternative in many departments, known for pursuit performance and available all-wheel drive.
- Other brands and platforms: Some agencies use SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV or other configurations; production for certain older police sedans (such as Caprice PPV) has ended, with fleets gradually updating to newer platforms.
- Global variations: Outside the United States, police fleets vary by country, with local preferred makes and body styles based on procurement needs and regulations.
Overall, Taurus sedans have largely been phased out of new police purchases, with remaining units aging in service and being retired as fleets refresh.
What this means for the Taurus brand
The Taurus name continues in Ford’s civilian lineup, but its dedicated police variant has faded from most modern fleets. The shift toward the Explorer-based PIU and other brands reflects evolving procurement strategies, performance needs, and total ownership costs.
Summary
Police did use the Ford Taurus as a dedicated patrol sedan for several years, but the model is no longer produced for law enforcement use. Today, the majority of police fleets rely on the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer-based) and other makes such as the Dodge Charger Pursuit, while older Taurus Interceptors remain in service only as aging units or in limited reserves. The Taurus, as a police-specific platform, has largely been retired from new purchases.