You’ve seen them. If you’ve spent any time dodging tourists in Times Square or wandering the winding paths of Central Park, you’ve definitely spotted that tiny, white-and-blue box on wheels. It’s the new york police smart car, a vehicle that looks more like a motorized roller skate than a piece of law enforcement machinery.
Some people laugh. Honestly, it’s hard not to. When a burly officer in full tactical gear steps out of a two-seater that looks like it belongs in a cartoon, the visual irony is pretty thick. But here’s the thing: these little cars weren't some weird joke or a quirky PR stunt. They were a calculated, logical solution to a very specific New York problem.
The Death of the Three-Wheeler
Before the Smart Fortwo took over the streets, the NYPD relied on those clunky three-wheeled scooters. You know the ones—the Go-4 Interceptors that looked like motorized tricycles. They were iconic, sure, but they were also kind of a nightmare to maintain. They were top-heavy and prone to tipping over if an officer took a corner just a little too fast.
Plus, they were surprisingly expensive. We’re talking $27,000 for a glorified scooter.
When Deputy Commissioner Robert Martinez looked at the books, he realized the department could buy a new york police smart car for about half that price. In 2015, the pilot program kicked off with just nine cars. It wasn't long before that number ballooned. By late 2016, the NYPD had ordered 250 of them.
The upgrade wasn't just about the cash, though. The old three-wheelers didn't have air conditioning. Imagine patrolling Lower Manhattan in July, trapped in a fiberglass shell with no airflow. It was brutal. The Smart cars brought AC, heaters, and—crucially—airbags.
What the New York Police Smart Car Actually Does
Let’s get one thing straight: you won’t see a Smart car in a high-speed chase down the West Side Highway. That’s just not what they’re for. The department actually has a strict policy against using them for pursuits.
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They’re basically the specialized tool for the "last mile" of urban policing.
- Parking Enforcement: Their tiny footprint allows them to zip in and out of tight spaces while checking meters.
- School Safety: They’re less intimidating than a Ford Explorer, making them a "neighborhood friendly" presence.
- Park Patrol: They fit on the narrow pedestrian paths in Central Park where a standard cruiser would be a hazard.
The turning circle is honestly the secret weapon. At just under 23 feet, an officer can pull a U-turn on a narrow street that would leave a Chevy Tahoe doing a 12-point turn and blocking three lanes of traffic. It’s about agility, not muscle.
The "Wimpy" Factor and Public Relations
When the idea was first floated, the command staff reportedly hated it. They thought the cars looked "wimpy." In a profession that often relies on a certain level of command presence, driving a car that people want to "kiss and hug" (Martinez’s words, not mine) felt like a step backward.
But a funny thing happened.
The public loved them. People who would normally avoid a police car started walking up to officers to take selfies. It broke the ice. In a city where the relationship between the police and the community can be... let’s say complicated... having a vehicle that is inherently "disarming" turned out to be a massive asset.
It’s hard to stay mad at a guy driving a car that looks like a Lego brick.
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Tech Specs of the "ForCops" Edition
The version the NYPD uses is the Smart Fortwo, often nicknamed the "ForCops" by those in the industry. It’s powered by a tiny 898cc three-cylinder engine. It’s not fast—0 to 60 takes about 10 seconds—but it’s efficient.
Inside, it’s a tight squeeze. The car is only 8.8 feet long. Once you add the police radio, the laptop mount, and the light bar controls, there isn't much room for a coffee, let alone a second passenger. That’s why these are strictly single-officer units.
The safety ratings are actually what surprised the skeptics. The "Tridion" safety cell—that steel cage that makes up the frame—is incredibly rigid. It’s designed to protect the occupants in a crash despite the lack of a traditional crumple zone.
The Future: Electric and Beyond
As we move through 2026, the fleet is changing again. New York City has a massive goal to go fully electric. While the gas-powered new york police smart car was a great bridge, the department is now leaning heavily into hybrids and full EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The Smart car isn't as common as it used to be. Mercedes-Benz actually stopped selling gas-powered Smarts in the US a while back. This means the NYPD is gradually phasing them out as they reach the end of their service life.
Replacement parts are getting harder to find. Mechanics are spending more time keeping them on the road. It’s the natural cycle of any city fleet.
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Why We’ll Miss the Tiny Cruisers
The new york police smart car represents a specific era of NYC—an era where the city tried to be a little greener, a little more efficient, and maybe a little less aggressive. They solved the "scooter problem" and saved the taxpayers millions of dollars in the process.
Even as the NYPD moves toward larger electric SUVs to handle the heavy lifting, those tiny Smarts will remain a symbol of a practical, if slightly goofy, solution to big-city congestion.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re interested in how urban fleets are evolving, keep an eye on the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) reports. They release annual data on fleet composition and fuel usage.
If you're a car enthusiast, you might even find an old NYPD Smart car at a city auction in the next year or two. They’re regularly retired and sold to the public. Just remember: you’ll have to paint over the "NYPD" logos before you take it for a spin.
For those visiting the city, head to the Central Park Precinct near the 86th Street Transverse. It’s still the best place to see these little guys in action before they finally go the way of the three-wheeled scooter.