MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police Department Chief Kevin Fuhr unveiled the new color scheme for the MLPD’s fleet of patrol vehicles on Wednesday.

Fuhr, along with other city officials, said the MLPD will be transitioning to a black-and-white color scheme on all of the department’s patrol vehicles. From blue and grey, to black and white, the department will be switching all of its patrol vehicles over to the new scheme over the next couple of years, City Manager John Williams said on Wednesday.

The idea to switch up the graphics came with the hiring of Fuhr in 2016, after the retirement of former Chief Dave Ruffin. Fuhr and Williams worked together to create a new package of graphics that would represent the department’s overall mission and image in the community. That image, explained Fuhr, represents the commitment of the members of the department to service.

“Black-and-white patrols cars started appearing in the 1950s and was a way for citizens to recognize the vehicles as police cars. It also helped citizens recognize when officers were patrolling in their neighborhoods and was found to be more visible in both low light and dark settings,” Fuhr stated. “Surveys of both officers and citizens have shown that the black and white scheme is more favorable, accessible and identifiable.”

Adorning the vehicles in the new graphics package is a police badge, which serves as a symbol of honor for members of the department. While on the rear panel of the car there is a depiction of a backwards American flag.

“The officers of the Moses Lake Police Department will risk life and limb to help those in need and we are proudly displaying the American flag to show support to our great nation,” Fuhr explained. “When displayed on a ‘moving object’ like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.”

Listed on the bottom of the doors of each of the patrol vehicles will be the core values of the department; professionalism, integrity, compassion and service. Fuhr said the MLPD’s values symbolize what the department is all about and lets the public know the pride the MLPD has in the values they abide by. Also included in the new graphics package is the city’s website on the rear of the car, which tells people where to go for information on city services and how to contact city employees for non-emergency-related issues.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.