Springfield Police Explain Why Some Patrol Cars Use Low-Profile or Color-Matching Decals

Description: Springfield Police Department explains why some patrol vehicles use color-matching decals and lower-profile markings. Officials say the vehicles remain clearly identifiable while helping officers detect reckless driving, impaired driving and other crimes. Read the Full Press Release from the Springfield Police Department...

Why Some Springfield Police Patrol Cars Look Low-Profile: Department Explains Decal Design

We recently saw a comment asking why some of our patrol vehicles have color matching decals or look a little more low-profile, suggesting it might make it harder for someone to find help if they needed it.

First, let’s address the obvious reality.

This is 2026. About 98% of Americans own a cell phone, and the vast majority carry them with them everywhere they go. If someone needs help, they don’t have to wait on a corner hoping a patrol car happens to drive by. They call 911, a system that has been nationally standardized and supported through federal public safety legislation such as the Public Safety Act of 1999.

In other words, the fastest way to get help hasn’t been “wave down a random patrol car” for a very long time.

Now let’s talk about the patrol cars themselves.

Some of our vehicles use color matching decals, which simply means the markings are a little less obvious at a distance while still clearly identifying the vehicle as law enforcement up close.

Most of our patrol vehicles are also equipped with spotlights, push bumpers (not pull bumpers, ask us how we know), emergency light bars, radios, antennas, and a variety of other equipment that tends to make them look pretty… well… like police cars. Some of them even have those large light bars sitting right on the roof which are super sneaky.

Color matching decals don’t make a patrol car invisible. They simply make it a little less obvious from far away during the day.

Why do departments use them?

Because people behave very differently when they know a police car is watching them. Low-profile patrol vehicles help officers identify things like reckless driving, impaired driving, theft, and other criminal behavior that tends to disappear the moment someone spots a highly marked patrol car in the area. They are simply another tool that helps us address problems.  

In a previous post we explained why officers sometimes patrol at night with flood or takedown lights illuminating areas. Those bright lights help us clearly observe what is happening around us and discourage nighttime shenanigans.

So, depending on the situation, sometimes the best policing tool is being highly visible, and other times it is simply not announcing our presence from a mile away.

And finally, let’s talk about the small-town reality.

In a town the size of Springfield, most residents already recognize our patrol vehicles anyway. Many of you even know which officer is driving which one.

If you ever need help, you don’t have to play “spot the patrol car.” Just call 911 if there is an emergency or call our dispatch center for a non-emergency report and we will come to you.

That system has worked pretty well for a long time.

Chief Chris Griffin

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