Tumwater Shop Builds 250 Patrol Cars

The Washington State Patrol spends approximately $100,000 on each patrol cruiser, a figure that covers the base vehicle, onboard cameras, and specialized law enforcement equipment. These costs accumulate quickly given the volume of vehicles required to keep the state's troopers on the road.

The Tumwater fleet headquarters produces between 240 and 250 of these units annually. A crew of ten workers operates an assembly line that yields two completed patrol cars every business day. The facility handles the entire conversion process, turning ordinary vehicles into fully equipped police cruisers for troopers across the state.

Each conversion takes 17 to 22 hours of installation work. Crews also spend roughly five hours building custom wiring harnesses in-house. The installation includes wiring, radios, radar, emergency gear, cameras, and weapon mounts. This comprehensive outfitting ensures the vehicles meet operational standards before they leave the shop.

Paul Grijalva, the Fleet Installation Supervisor, noted that the operation switched to a four-stage assembly line about two years ago. This structural change streamlined tasks such as drilling antenna mounts and applying decals. The shift cut the overall build time nearly in half compared to previous methods. Grijalva emphasized the local nature of the work, stating, "These cars are hand-built by folks here in Washington. So anytime you see these folks driving, know that car was built here in Washington by folks who have a passion for law enforcement."

The agency manages the fleet's lifespan through a mileage-based retirement policy. Patrol vehicles are replaced once they reach 150,000 miles. Troopers in Eastern Washington often hit this threshold faster than those in other regions due to the larger geographic territories they patrol. New units from the Tumwater facility replace the retired vehicles.

Collision damage also drives activity at the facility. Damaged vehicles are returned to the Tumwater storage yard, known locally as the boneyard, for parts salvage or repair. Grijalva said collision intake typically rises during the winter months. Severe weather and slick highway conditions increase crash risks across the state, leading to a higher volume of vehicles entering the repair queue.

The facility continues its daily production schedule. The ten-person team maintains the two-cars-per-day output target. This steady flow supports the state's ongoing need for reliable, locally built patrol vehicles.