St. Gabe PD gets design award from magazine

Law and Order Magazine has named the St. Gabriel Police Department as a third place winner in its 2008 International Police Vehicle Design Contest, the magazine announced Monday from Deerfield, Illinois.

The St. Gabriel department won in the category of municipal forces with fewer than 10 officers.

“When fractions of a second could mean life or death for officers or citizens, it is imperative that the police vehicles are immediately and clearly distinguished as emergency vehicles as they approach and pass other vehicles at dangerously high speeds,” the magazine said in a news release. “While appearance of police vehicles takes into consideration public perception and aesthetics, above all, it is about safety and identification.”

For its patrol cars, the St. Gabriel Police chose blue and white for “the significance and symbolism of the colors.” The department substituted a dark navy blue for the black front and back of the police cruiser.

“Dark navy or deep royal blue conveys richness and superiority,” the news release said. “The dark blue with the white reveals a fresh, crisp appearance.”

“The emblem is eye-catching and pops,” the judges commented. “It is a nice color combination.”