The Dodge Charger police package HEMI has been described as one of the best patrol vehicle since the Chevrolet Caprice by many officers, including me.

The handling and acceleration is awesome. The interior seemed small at first, but after reorganizing and getting used to the space, it no longer seems small.

The major purpose of this article is to caution everyone about the horsepower the Charger/Magnum HEMI has to offer. I've read Michigan State Police Tests that rate the Charger HEMI's top speed at 148 miles per our. The particular charger I drive tops out at 147, according to one of our other officers. I haven't found the need to top out the Charger as of yet. I've driven it at speeds of up to 130 on a few occaisions.

I've read in a forum and will attempt to quote that writer: "The Dodge Charger HEMI has too much power for 80% of the people on the road including police officers."

I agree with this analogy because if you don't respect the power the machine has to offer it could literally kill you. When operating any automobile over 100 miles per hour, stuff happens fast and the result in many cases is serious injury or death.

Everytime I get a new patrol vehicle, I prefer to take a lot of time getting to know the car intimately. (and I don't mean that in some sick twisted way)

I've pushed the Charger hard to learn it's limitations and would recommend that any officers getting a Charger do the same in an effort to learn the automobile's handling characteristics.

In closing I will say the Dodge Charger is an excellent police car. Time will tell how it will hold up after we have them on the road for a few years.

The best advice I can give you is to respect the power of the Charger and will steal a line from the old HIll Street Blues sergeant.......HEY...LET'S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!