Oxford Village’s police department is poised to get its second sport utility vehicle.

Last week, the council voted 4-0 to approve the purchase of a 2019 all-wheel-drive Ford Explorer from the Gorno Ford dealership in Woodhaven. The total price will be $30,928, which includes approximately  $10,000 to outfit it for police work.

“Most agencies around the state are starting to go (with) the Ford Explorer,” said Police Chief Mike Solwold.

The Explorer will replace the agency’s 2013 Dodge Charger that was severely damaged in a March 16 crash on M-24 in downtown Oxford. Solwold said the agency received $9,957 from its insurance claim.

One of the main benefits to choosing the Explorer is that Gorno Ford has one on its lot now, ready to buy. Otherwise, it would be a 90-day wait for a vehicle.

“We are down a vehicle  . . . which is a dangerous position for us to be in. We can’t wait,” he told council.

In addition to the Ford Explorer, Solwold considered both the Chevy Tahoe and Dodge Charger as potential options.

He said the department could have purchased a Tahoe from Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, as it did last year, but that all-wheel-drive SUV would have cost $37,300, plus an additional $12,000 to outfit it for police work. He felt this was “pretty expensive” for a replacement vehicle

As for the Dodge Charger, Solwold said this model has issues that require too much repair time. “We’ve had those vehicles in the shop . . . at least a dozen times,” he said.

Also, no Chargers are immediately available, according to Solwold, so there would be a 90-day wait involved, plus four to six weeks to outfit it.

Given the amount of interior room the Explorer has to accommodate police equipment and that it’s equipped with all-wheel-drive, which better handles slippery road conditions caused by ice and snow, Solwold told council, “I think overall that’s the better vehicle for us to go (with).”