The new 2021 Ford F-150 has brought about a new version of Ford’s pursuit-rated 2021 F-150 Police Responder. The truck is specifically made for police officers and the demanding tasks required by their jobs.

The fresh Police Responder takes the best aspects the F-150 and the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (its pursuit-rated take on the Explorer) and combines them into a compelling package.

“Law enforcement agencies told us they would love to add F-150 Police Responder towing, hauling, and off-road performance to their fleets, but they need more confidence in speed and handling,” said Greg Ebel, Ford police vehicle brand manager. “Whether suburban police departments, border patrol agents or rural sheriffs, officers never know where the job might take them, but the all-new F-150 Police Responder provides a pickup truck option engineered to get them there faster and with greater agility than ever before.”

The F-150 Police Responder is available with pre-installed warning beacons.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Each 2021 F-150 Police Responder starts life as a 2021 F-150 SuperCrew truck. That body style allows the truck to deliver more passenger volume than any other pursuit-rated vehicle.

The F-150’s strong architecture makes the truck capable of towing up to 11,200 pounds (a 7,000-pound capacity is standard). An available Trailer Tow Package adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Checking the options box for the Tow Technology Package adds a 360-degree camera, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and integrated Trailer Brake Controller. Smart Trailer Tow Connector is standard on Class IV hitch-equipped vehicles and adds Trailer Coverage to the available blind spot monitoring system.

Ford has given the truck a standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with Ford’s smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. Both the engine and transmission have been calibrated specifically for police needs. The truck has a top speed of 120 mph.

A n

umber of drivetrain modes are available.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

LED police warning beacons are available pre-installed in red and blue, amber, or amber and white.

Police Engine Idle technology, currently available in the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, will also be made available in the F-150. It allows the officer to remove the key from the ignition and ecurely exit the truck with the engine running. Officers can continue to power lights and sirens without worry of vehicle theft.

Up to four traditional fleet keys per truck or up to four available fobs with keyless entry will be available per truck.

The truck’s torque-on-demand transfer care includes a 4-Auto mode and allows the truck to run on two-wheel drive for fuel savings then automatically switch to four-wheel drive when conditions require. The F-150 FX4 Off-Road Package adds to the off-road prowess giving the truck skid plates, off- road-tuned shocks, electronic-locking rear axle, and hill descent control.

A center console delete option allows agencies to customize their trucks.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The rig rides on Goodyear LT265/70R18 LRC BSW Wrangler Enforcer all-terrain tires. They’re the only all-terrain tires available on a pursuit-rated vehicle.

The interior of the truck is optimized for officers. It features more interior passenger volume and more head, hip and shoulder room than any other pursuit-rated offering. Front seat bolsters are sized to make it easier for an officer wearing a duty belt to enter or exit the vehicle.

The darker-colored interior, including police-grade heavy-duty cloth front seats, was influenced by officer input. It features built-in steel intrusion plates in both front seatbacks for officer safety, as well as red-and-white task lighting.

The truck’s infotainment system runs on SYNC 4 with cloud connectivity. The standard 8-inch infotainment touch screen in the center stack features an embedded modem that allows for over-the-air updates. This tech makes officers able to conduct their own in-vehicle software updates while on-the-go or parked.

The interior of the Police Responder is dark, fulfilling the wishes of officers Ford worked with to create the design.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

A four-inch productivity screen in the instrument cluster is standard on the model.

Like the Ford eTransit, the automaker is offering the Ford Police Responder with the Ford Telematics system. The intelligent fleet management tool is designed to help improve uptime, optimize running costs, enable predictive planning of unscheduled maintenance and improve driver behavior over time.

The truck can be outfitted with many safety and driver assist technologies that the traditional F-150 has including pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, which includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are available.

Upfitting the vehicle is made easy with a front console-delete, universal top tray on the instrument panel and rear power lug. The 40-blank-40 front seat configuration lets agencies install their own department-specific center console. A new factory-installed center console is available as part of the Interior Upgrade Package, as is a new Interior Work Surface that provides an adjustable flat surface for writing or computer work.

The new F-150 Police Responder is assembled at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, and arrives in fleets later this fall.