RTD Transit Police introduces new wraps on vehicles
New year, new looks! RTD’s Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) has partnered with the agency’s Marketing team to create updated wraps for its new police vehicles. The change comes as the department secures brand-new Ford Police Interceptors and slowly phases out the current fleet.
The process began in fall 2023, when the department secured approval to purchase new vehicles. Transit Police had the option to do so in any color, not just white. This fact presented the department with an opportunity to reimagine its vehicles’ appearance. A collective of former RTD-PD officers came together once the purchase was approved and began creating mock-ups of the new branding on the new vehicles.
“When we decided to go to black-colored vehicles, it was decided to change the entire design because the old graphics did not mesh well with the new vehicle color,” Acting Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano said. “Since the department was growing, everyone decided to do a new concept and began working with RTD’s Marketing team to develop the new design.”
Graphic/Web Designer Pat Garcia created the designs based on examples provided by the department.
“The goal of the design was to exemplify the legitimacy and strength of the RTD police force,” Garcia said. “To keep the look and feel simple yet striking, we incorporated the RTD brand blue and brand font for the word ‘POLICE’ that angles up the side of the vehicle, with the title of ‘RTD TRANSIT POLICE DEPARTMENT in white.”
The design colors provide a high contrast to the black vehicle color, increasing visibility.
“The RTD Transit Police badge is featured prominently to reinforce that it is a sanctioned police organization,” Garcia said. “The vehicle's rear features the word ‘POLICE’ and the RTD logo. It also creates the refreshed emblem, epitomizing the character and mission of the RTD Transit Police Department: ‘INTEGRITY, HONOR, RESPECT.’”
While three designs were developed, Transit Police voted to feature this design on the new vehicles.
The new design will come pre-installed on each new vehicle by the police outfitter.
“Most of the new vehicles will have the graphics installed,” Executive Assistant II Cheryl Webb said. “We’ll see a slow trickle of more new vehicles with the graphics coming in after.”
The current fleet will be slowly phased out over time and the new wraps will not be retrofitted onto them.
While many were involved in the design process, Martingano credits Webb with bringing it all together.
“She was really instrumental in designing and getting this project completed,” Martingano said. “She was the one who coordinated the internal vote, collaborated closely with Marketing and took the lead on ensuring everyone was informed on design changes, deadlines and making sure everyone stayed on task.”