LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The nation’s largest fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks is expected to hit Las Vegas streets this week as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department prepares to deploy the high-tech vehicles that also serve as a recruiting tool.
The Cybertrucks draw significant attention from the community during test drives around the valley, according to Metro’s Robert Wicks.
“There’s definitely been a lot of double takes, I’ve gotten a couple thumbs up,” Wicks said during a ride-along.
The attention extends beyond casual observers. During our drive, Wicks noted a car backing up alongside the truck “trying to get a picture of us,” he said.
Metro did not build a charging network when acquiring the trucks. Sheriff McMahill said at the launch event that he wanted the vehicles to charge at stations across the valley so people would approach and engage officers.
“Having officers out in the community actually interacting with the community is always what we want anyway as a police department,” Wicks said.
The strategy worked during a charging stop at a Tesla station at Nellis and Sahara, where retired law enforcement officer Darryl Walker approached the vehicle.
“I wish I had one before I retired. This is perfect,” Walker said. Walker recently acquired his own Cybertruck and believes it will work well for police work.
“It’s gonna come in handy because you’ve got your equipment, you’ve got the range, you can put your stuff in there,” Walker said.
The Cybertrucks will be equipped with everything officers need for tactical situations when they hit valley roads. Even the vehicle itself could work as a shield. The stainless steel alloy the Cybertruck is made of could provide additional protection, said Wicks.
“If we are on something like a barricade, and sometimes we need to approach the front of the house, and this will be something that can give us more cover than a standard patrol vehicle,” Wicks said.
The nearly 7,000-pound Cybertruck drives differently than standard Metro cruisers. Hundreds of officers are currently training on the vehicle, learning everything from turning and acceleration to navigating the center screen.
The fleet of 10 Cybertrucks, plus an incoming SWAT Cybertruck, was paid for by a donation from Ben and Felicia Horowitz and the companies that outfitted them as police vehicles.
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