The George West Police Department added three new vehicles to its fleet of police cruisers during the last week in July.

The three 2011 Chevy Tahoes were much needed. They will be replacing a 2001 and 2002 Ford Crown Victoria that the department currently has.

When it came time to look at new vehicles, Police Chief Ray Garcia preferred not to have a front-wheel drive vehicle.

The Tahoes were not front-wheel drive and were much larger and better fitted for what the department needed.

“They (the Tahoes) are more versatile in this part of Texas,” he said.

The department was able to purchase the two vehicles “fully equipped with a police package” for less than $26,000 per truck.

“When we got them they were ready to go on the road,” Garcia said.

The chief also was impressed with the warranty that came with the vehicle. It was better than what he said he had seen with other police vehicles.

They come with a three year warranty as well as a five-year, 100,000-mile power train factory warranty.

“It is something in the long run that will save the city money,” Garcia said.

The department is planning on keeping these vehicles in use for years to come and at a later date hopes to be able to replace other older vehicles in the fleet with Tahoes.