In recent years, graphics for ghost police cars have become popular for police departments nationwide looking to outfit their patrol vehicles.
Though people may not always recognize the name, this style of law enforcement decal (also known as stealth graphics) is becoming increasingly common in police fleets.
The combination of subtlety and visibility makes ghost graphics useful to modern police work. They are designed to blend into the background during the daylight hours but become reflective and highly visible at night.
Graphics for Ghost Police Cars
This post delves into how police vehicle designs have changed over the years, the advantages of ghost graphics, and why they are becoming a preferred law enforcement tool.
Traditional Police Vehicle Graphics: Visible but Predictable
For decades, the graphic schemes on police vehicles—big, bold decals on a dramatic color backdrop—have been instantly recognizable. They reassure the public that when they see one of these cars on the road, police are present and ready to respond.
The mere sight of a marked police car makes drivers more likely to follow the rules of the road, slow down, and behave themselves.
However, the visibility that makes these cars reassuring also works against them in certain circumstances. Dangerous drivers might change their behavior the minute they spot a marked police car; at this point, it’s too late for officers to catch them in the act.
Traditional graphics are better suited to maintaining public order and preserving a visible law enforcement presence than to more stealthy traffic enforcement operations.
Unmarked Police Vehicles: Stealthy but Risky
Conversely, unmarked police vehicles are used for undercover work, where it is desirable to be inconspicuous, or in traffic enforcement roles, where it is helpful to catch offenders by surprise.
The absence of visible markings helps unmarked police vehicles avoid recognition by potential offenders who might change their behavior if they know the police are monitoring them.
While marked cars are effective at enforcing traffic laws, the trade-off is that they are prone to confusion and conflict, especially when officers are out on the road conducting traffic stops or other traffic-related interactions.
When traffic stops are made in unmarked cars or other unmarked vehicles, the driver might not be sure they are dealing with an actual police officer.
When this happens, the driver might hesitate to drive off or get out of their car with their hands in the air as if a SWAT team has stopped them. These situations can be perilous for officers working in the dark of night, in inclement weather, or heavy traffic.
However, it is worth noting that stealth police cars are actually linked with lower crash rates.
Ghost Graphics for Police Cars: The Best of Both Worlds
Ghost graphics occupy a middle ground between the high visibility of cops’ traditional police decals and the total invisibility of unmarked vehicles. Stealth decals are designed to be the same hue as the car’s paint color by day – low-key, but not aggressively so.
At night, the reflective material ghost graphics contain make the vehicle much more visible in the beam of headlights or streetlights.
This duality makes ghost graphics a good choice for law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement and general patrol duties.
The low-key design allows officers to work without attracting unwanted attention during the day. At night, the vehicle’s reflective properties ensure it is still visible, which increases safety during roadside stops or other emergencies.
The combination of discretion/safety and visibility/safety has made ghost graphics popular for police departments that want both.
The Role of Reflective and Non-Reflective Decals
Either reflective or non-reflective ghost graphics can be placed on police vehicles.
Departments often use reflective ghost designs because they’re safer in low-light conditions. When reflective decals are lit up, they’re far more visible than non-reflective designs.
Sometimes, police officers are parked on the side of the road and are out of their cars. In those instances, they need to be seen to avoid a collision. Reflective decals can also make a difference for officers in other night-time operations.
The reflective decals can alert other drivers about the police vehicle, making an accident less likely. These low-visibility decals are safer for everyone.
By contrast, non-reflective ghost graphics provide a higher level of stealth and can be an excellent choice for operations that require utmost discretion.
Why Ghost Graphics Are on the Rise
There are several reasons for the growth of ghost graphics on police vehicles, including that most newer police cruisers are designed with durability in mind.
The Chevy Impala, for example, gets good gas mileage and is still a reliable vehicle for the officers, although it is ‘dressed down’ from earlier models.
SUVs such as the Chevy Tahoe are also fuel-efficient and can carry more equipment inside.
The modern, ‘dressed-down’ look of ghost graphics matches a ‘dressed-down’ police car, helping it maintain a professional appearance while the decal does not fade or get damaged over time.
Moreover, as police departments have changed to meet new technologies and ways of fighting crime, greater flexibility in vehicle design has become important.
Ghost graphics are adaptable to nondescript patrols and high-visibility stops and allow police vehicles to meet many law-enforcement tasks.
Whether patrolling, operating undercover, or responding to an emergency, police vehicles with ghost graphics can perform many tasks without sacrificing officer or operational safety.
Enhancing Traffic Enforcement with Ghost Graphics
Another application for ghost graphics is traffic enforcement.
Police cars, even unmarked ones, can be spotted some distance away, giving drivers time to adjust their behavior before the cops can see their infractions.
Unmarked vehicles are more stealthy but may be less safe for cops to stop in case of a misdemeanor because the target might not see them coming.
Ghost graphics offer the best of both worlds: they let cops monitor traffic without being noticed until they need to.
This balance of invisibility and visibility has been a great boon to reducing accidents and increasing enforcement effectiveness.
Day or night, a vehicle sporting ghost graphics is harder for drivers to see than a normal vehicle.
This makes it easier for the officer to spot a reckless or dangerous driver without alerting him. At night, the reflective decals make the vehicle highly visible to other drivers, mitigating the officer’s risk of accidents during a roadside stop or enforcement action.
The Long-Term Benefits of Ghost Graphics for Police Cars
Ghost graphics provide long-term benefits for police departments through lower maintenance costs.
Because traditional decals’ bright colors and high-contrast designs can fade over time, patches and repairs are often necessary to keep them looking fresh and easy to read.
Ghost graphics are less conspicuous, and their reflective nature stands up well to the elements and requires less maintenance to keep the vehicle looking sharp.
Moreover, the slick aesthetic of ghost graphics gives police vehicles a modern, professional look that aligns with the public’s perception of modern police.
As departments upgrade their technologies and overhaul their fleets, ghost graphics help protect that investment while maintaining the functionality and safety officers need.
Conclusion: Graphics for Ghost Police Cars
Ghost graphics for police cars can be both highly visible and extremely discreet, making them an excellent fit for the wide-ranging and sometimes secretive nature of police work.
Whether a vehicle needs to blend in for traffic enforcement duties, undercover operations, or ‘plainclothes patrol,’ stealth decals are a practical modular solution for the police force.
Ghost graphics’ ability to become nearly invisible by day and stand out at night also improves law enforcement vehicles’ operational safety and effectiveness—as does this useful application for departments of all sizes across the United States.
To discuss graphics for ghost police cars, contact Graphic Designs International. As the authority on emergency vehicle graphics, they will have all the answers, options, and services you’re looking for.
