Saratoga Town Council Denies Request for New Police Vehicle

JULY 17, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Police Department patch – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga’s governing body opted against the purchase of a new police vehicle and instructed the Chief of Police to find a cheaper option.

As reported by Bigfoot99, in May, the Saratoga Town Council authorized Police Chief John Moore to spend $62,309 on a 2024 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 patrol truck, purchased from ESU Pursuits in Edwardsville, Kansas. The vehicle came fully equipped with lights, sirens, and Saratoga Police Department branding.

During the July 1st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Chief Moore said ESU Pursuits is selling a 2025 Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle for $57,700. The police chief said Councilman Mike Cooley instructed him to search for a lower price. Chief Moore said he found the same vehicle at a Denver, Colorado, dealership for approximately $4,000 less.

Chief Moore asked for authorization to purchase the 2025 Chevy Tahoe from John Elway Chevrolet in Denver. Councilman Cooley added that outfitting the vehicle for police duty will require additional money. The police chief explained that the equipment needed to upfit the SUV will increase the total cost by nearly $40,000.

Chief Moore pointed out that the vehicle would come fully equipped with the latest hardware, such as a radar speed gun. In total, the 2025 Chevy Tahoe police SUV will cost $93,283.94.

Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked how the vehicle would be used. Chief Moore said it would replace an existing Ford Explorer, which is unreliable and unsuitable for K9 duty.

Councilman Barkhurst asked if an existing vehicle could be upfitted to serve as the department’s K9 unit. Chief Moore responded that a 2021 Chevy Tahoe could be retrofitted with a dog cage. However, that vehicle is suffering from an undiagnosed mechanical issue.

Chief Moore said the warranty on the 2021 Tahoe has nearly expired. The police chief added that the 2025 model includes a 5-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which the Denver dealership will activate only after the Saratoga Police Department takes delivery of the fully upfitted vehicle.

Councilman Mike Cooley suggested trading in the 2021 Tahoe before purchasing a brand-new SUV. Chief Moore said that would leave his department one vehicle short, requiring him to spend another $62,000 on an additional Dodge Ram from ESU Pursuits.

The governing body agreed that the town was not prepared to spend $93,000 on a new police vehicle. Chief Moore said he explored options for a pre-owned vehicle, but the only Chevy Tahoe available lacked a warranty and offered little cost savings compared to a new model.

The Saratoga Town Council voted to deny Chief Moore’s request to purchase a new 2025 Chevy Tahoe police vehicle and instructed the chief to continue searching for a less expensive option.