Galveston PD Pulls 27 Ford Explorers From Patrol Fleet.

GALVESTON, TX — The Galveston Police Department is following the lead of the Austin Police Department and pulling nearly 30 Ford Explorers from its fleet to to ensure none of the vehicles have carbon monoxide leaks.

Although no department personnel have shown signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, a number of employees with Austin PD were affected.

During a press conference on July 11, Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Troy Gay told reporters that six officers were involved in the latest incidents, five complaining of symptoms associated with carbon monoxide exposure. Among those symptoms are dizziness, headaches and nausea.

On July 28, the Austin Police Department announced they were pulling 446 Ford Explorers from their patrol fleet after 62 personnel reported becoming ill over a five month period.

The vehicles will be out of service until they can be examined by officials from Ford Motor Company and federal officials from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration can determine the cause, CNN reported.

RELATED: Six More Austin Officers Exposed To Carbon Monoxide Leaking Into Patrol Vehicles (Video)

The Explorers used by police departments are outfitted with specialized law enforcement equipment to become police interceptor vehicles.

Some of the equipment includes communication’s equipment, such as digital radio, computer equipment, lights and cameras.

Capt. Joshua Schirard with the Galveston Police Department, said the installation of specialized equipment could be part of the problem.

"A lot of new holes - drill holes - for power cables and the like create new entrances and possible avenues for carbon monoxide gas to get in the cabin," Schirard told KTRK.

Meanwhile, CNN reports that NHTSA has expanded its investigation into 1.3 million 2011-2017 Ford Explorer SUVs over reports of exhaust odors and concerns of carbon monoxide exposure.

Officials from Ford Motor Company issued a statement on the Explorer

"Safety is our top priority. We continue to investigate. We have not found elevated levels of carbon monoxide in non-Police Ford Explorers. To address police customers who drive modified vehicles in unique ways, we are covering the costs of specific repairs in every Police Interceptor Utility that may have carbon monoxide concerns, regardless of modifications made after leaving Ford’s factory...We have tested Police Interceptor Utilities with exhaust odor concerns, finding variable levels of carbon monoxide, depending on how well the rear of the vehicle was sealed after installation of police equipment."

Ford officials said unsealed holes can allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle during aggressive acceleration and high speed driving unique to police use.

If a customer believes their Ford Explorer or other Ford vehicle may be experiencing an issue, they should bring it to a Ford dealer for inspection. Customers also can call a dedicated hotline at 888-260-5575.

Image: Raymond Wambsgans via Flickr Commons

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