QUINCY - Several Quincy councilmembers said officers should check the oil in the patrol cars before using them.

The city council voted against a request for $20,000 to buy a used police car.

The request came after the engine stopped working on a patrol car that is at least 11 years old, according to city records. The car also needs new shocks and other items.

"The car is too old and would need too much in the way of other repairs to justify a new or rebuilt engine to make it safe for police use," Police Capt. Gene Fretheim read.

Councilmember Tony Gonzalez pointed out the patrol car is shared between the officers and used for traveling, such as transporting prisoners to the jail or going to classes.

"They use that one specific car," he said. "If you look at this picture, old No. 8 is sitting out there in the front. Go ahead and take it to Ephrata, so you jump in it and take off, go and come back. Now you did not take time to open the hood and do the vitals on the engine, right? So then you come back and Paul takes off and goes to Wenatchee and that's what happens to a car that doesn't have an owner."

Gonzalez added neither Fretheim nor Chief Richard Ackerman was happy about what happened to the patrol car. The councilmember suggested holding a class to teach the officers how to check the oil.

"There are people who do not know how to open a hood," he said. "I mean that's pretty simple gentlemen. I would like to see the captain get on this."

Councilmember Paul Worley called the item "fishy," saying he checks the oil in his vehicles regularly, and they last longer than 80,000 miles.

"It just seems like we're throwing money left and right at this kind of stuff," he said. "Maybe if they had to share a car for a while they would keep a closer eye on it."

Councilmember Jose Saldana echoed Worley, saying if someone was going on a long trip they would check the oil sometime during the day.

Public Works Maintenance Supervisor said the solution could be as simple as making sure the oil is checked when the fuel is filled.

"That could be a (standard operating procedure) for all departments, not just the police department," he said.

Councilmember Manuel Guerrero said when he worked for the police department he checked the oil every time he started his shift.

"To me, I don't think it's true that the person did check the oil," he said. "He should have checked. Twenty thousand dollars, that's quite a bit of money."

Councilmember Scott Lybbert pointed out the department was also asking to equip a 2003 Ford Excursion it received from government surplus for free.

"I was wondering why we shouldn't dump (the request for a used police car) and go with the next one as a replacement vehicle," he said. "We just bought three used cars. Are we really that short?"

Gonzalez asked if the department was going to use the SUV for transporting prisoners and other uses.

Fretheim said it is one of the uses for it, but the officers wouldn't be able to use it for patrolling.

"I certainly don't have any excuses for not checking the oil and I agree with everybody on the council that we shouldn't be having this discussion," he said.

Ackerman said in an interview after the meeting he wasn't certain why the car was low on oil, and they weren't blaming the officer involved.

"It was four or five quarts low. We're not sure if it's something that happened at the shop," he said. "We certainly encourage everybody to check the oil. We're not holding any officer accountable ... The oil either leaked out, burned up or wasn't refilled."

Mayor Jim Hemberry said if the council decided to purchase the car now it could not replace a vehicle next year.

The council unanimously decided against purchasing the car.

Councilmembers Travis Wittman and Jeremy McCreary were absent.