By Eve 
Indiana’s highways are about to get a serious dose of horsepower, as state cops roll out a fleet of Mustang GTs to crack down on speed demons and reckless drivers. Forget those clunky old sedans; these days, police fleets are a mix of brawny SUVs and, apparently, snarling muscle cars.
Ford might’ve dropped the official cop package for the latest ‘Stang, but that hasn’t stopped law enforcement from tweaking these beasts for patrol work. Indiana’s joining a growing club, following Florida and Virginia, where departments have turned to the Mustang’s 480-hp V8 to chase down modern cars that laugh at speed limits. It’s not the ‘80s anymore—today’s road warriors drive machines flirting with 500, even 600 horses, leaving some cops feeling like they’re dragging a sofa behind them in pursuit.
No need for heavy mods this time around, though. The current GT’s got the chops straight from the factory, no extra armor or police-grade suspension required. And Indiana’s giving these interceptors a retro twist, slapping on that classic blue-and-white paintjob last seen when Lyndon Johnson was in office. Even their regular cruisers are getting the same flashy makeover.
So who gets these hot rods? Only the vets—troopers with 15-plus years under their belts, who had to plead their case in writing before hitting the track for specialized training. The plan? Use these screamers to scare off street racers and shut down aggressive driving before it turns ugly.
Of course, as soon as winter rears its ugly head, the Mustangs get parked like prized garage queens. Snow and ice mean back to the boring (but practical) SUVs, at least until the roads thaw and the pony cars can stretch their legs again. Cops playing hero in a Mustang—guess some things do come full circle.
Shawn Henry