Wayland's Police Cruisers And The Carbon Monoxide Concern

WAYLAND, MA—Last week, numerous cruisers in the Austin, TX, police department tested positive for high levels of carbon monoxide in the vehicles. The issue prompted Ford to issue a statement that it would fix any of these Ford Explorer models that are experiencing issues.

On Wednesday, the issue popped up in Massachusetts, with an Auburn officers passing out and crashing into another vehicle because of high levels of carbon monoxide in his Ford Explorer police SUV.

It prompted not only a flurry of media attention, but also concern that swept police departments across the state.

In Wayland, there are six Ford Explorer SUVs in the police department's fleet, the same models that have been reported to have carbon monoxide issues. Police Chief Robert Irving said that "none of our officers have complained about physical effects when driving these cars. However, out of an abundance of caution, we have ordered CO detectors that will be placed in each car."

"Safety is our top priority and we are concerned for those involved," said a spokesperson from Ford in response to the Auburn issue. "We are working with the Auburn Police Department and have a team in Massachusetts on the way to inspect their vehicles and modifications made to them. It’s premature to draw conclusions from what happened in Auburn after reports of carbon monoxide at levels of 13 parts per million in the vehicle. According to the Massachusetts Environmental Affairs, ‘most people do not begin to feel the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning until they have been exposed to levels of at least 200 parts per million for several hours or more.’ Given this discrepancy, more investigating is required.”

Photo Credit: Wayland Police