Sirens and light bars were starting to be added along with distinctive paintwork in the 1920′s. The cars were still just purchased retail and any modifications were basic to say the least. After WWII car manufacturers cottoned on to the use of vehicles by law enforcement agencies and started putting together ‘packages’ to offer police departments. They basically took the most requested special options that police departments asked for, and offered an integrated package including the siren and lighting. The light bars we know and recognize today are far superior to the initial lighting package offered by the manufacturers.
So from the introduction by Ford in 1950 of its police package vehicles we have moved on with ever more specialist equipment, lighting and interior tailoring. Light bars have become more streamlined and offer various different light options in one unit. The flash pattern can be varied and in some unit’s the color options can be switched on and off depending on the situation the vehicle is being used at. So, simple light bars have now become sophisticated pieces of law enforcement equipment. The police light bars offer hazard warning, ‘take down’ lights and side alley lights in a single unit.
Other than paint schemes the other noticeable feature of any police or emergency vehicle is the light bars on top of the vehicles. There is no one standard set of police vehicle additions that can be added during production, as all states have varying requirements as to what they add to their vehicles. light bars are offered in various different color ways and often with banks of lights that can be seen even in bright daylight.