The Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) has introduced a new Rolls-Royce Ghost cruiser, a luxury vehicle valued at around $110,000, to be used for recruitment events.
The car, wrapped in the department’s black and white livery, was loaned by Braman Motors, a local dealership, which also sponsored the wrapping costs. The dealership retains ownership of the vehicle and will permit its use by the police until further notice.
The flashy reveal, featuring an advert with an idyllic sunset and swaying palms, aims to attract interest at upcoming recruitment events. Christopher Bess, MBPD spokesperson, described the initiative as “an innovative and fun way to connect with the consumer market.”
However, the move has sparked significant backlash. Critics argue that the luxury vehicle is an inappropriate and extravagant method to attract new recruits.
Social media responses have been harsh, with comments ranging from calls to fire the idea’s originator to suggestions that the car mocks the less affluent.
One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressed disbelief: “Miami Beach Police just unveiled a Rolls Royce cop car, done in collaboration with a dealership to recruit police.
I wish I was making this up.” Others questioned the priorities of the department, suggesting the funds could have been better spent on officer safety and community programs.
James Archer, another X user, criticized the decision, asking, “Doesn’t a Rolls prowl car just further mock the poor? Why not collaborate more with gyms, dojos, rec centers to give more kids a safe place to have fun and blow off some steam? Why do police have to seem like an occupying force? They can be, should be, friends with the people.”
Despite the criticism, this isn’t the first time a police force has used a luxury vehicle to draw attention.
In 2013, Ed Bolian, an auto enthusiast, loaned his Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 to the Alpharetta Police Department in Georgia for a parade. Internationally, Dubai’s police force is known for its fleet of supercars, including a Bugatti Veyron that holds the record for the fastest police vehicle in service, reaching 253mph.
While the MBPD’s Rolls-Royce may be intended as a novel recruitment tool, it has clearly struck a chord, raising questions about the appropriateness and effectiveness of such an approach in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community.
Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox
