New vehicles, titles coming to Highway Patrol officers

PHOENIX (AP) - Officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Highway Patrol are now being called "troopers" and the DPS is picking a new color scheme for patrol vehicles.

The Arizona Capitol Times reports a prototype of 90 new vehicles coming to the department is painted dark blue with copper lettering and accents.

DPS Director Frank Milstead heard feedback from employees shortly after he was appointed to the job and decided to implement the updates.

Department spokesman Bart Graves says the highway patrol is the most visible way to change the agency's public image.

Arizona Highway Patrol Association president Jimmy Chavez says the new look will help boost morale and support an effort to restore efficacy and the DPS image.

Information from: Arizona Capitol Times, http://www.arizonacapitoltimes.com

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