Toronto police no longer ordering ‘military style stealth grey’ cruisers amid growing concern

In the face of mounting criticism, Toronto’s chief of police says he will “stop the rollout” of the city’s controversial new grey police cruisers.

“As I meet with the people of the city at many events, including numerous town halls, among the subjects that are raised, the new look of our police cars has come up often,” Saunders said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

“There are people who like them. There are people who don’t like them.”

READ MORE: Toronto police unveil new colour scheme for cruisers

Saunders said the “concern” that has been expressed to him about the new cruiser colour scheme in recent weeks has convinced him that “further work is necessary.”

“I have decided to stop the rollout of the new-look police cars immediately,” he said.

“We will not be ordering any new grey police cars. We will set up opportunities for consultation, before we go any further.”

Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash told Global News Thursday that if the service needs to order new cruisers in the meantime, they’ll defer to the older model.

“I think the statement is clear, he’s not ordering any further grey ones and what we’re going to do is consult and we’ll see what comes of the consultation,” Pugash said, adding that Saunders would consult with the Toronto Police Services Board.

“If we’re in a situation where we need, for operational reasons, to order cars — then we’ll order the white car.”

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The news comes after Toronto city council voted 26-13 Wednesday in favour of asking the Toronto Police Service to keep its traditional red, white and blue cars pending further review.

The motion, put forth by Coun. Michael Thompson and seconded by Coun. Pam McConnell, asked police to retain the traditional vehicle colour scheme due to “growing public concern” about the “military style stealth grey police cruisers.”

It also called on the Toronto Police Services Board to “clarify the reasons why a change in the scout car colour and graphics is necessary” and why the new colour scheme was chosen.Toronto police spokeswoman Meaghan Grey said in September the design was part of the service’s efforts to update its image.

The grey Ford Interceptors were to be brought out over the next four years as cruisers needed to be replaced at no extra cost for the new design.

Toronto police said its cruisers are in operation 24 hours a day and the average vehicles last around four and a half years.

Eighty vehicles were scheduled to be replaced in 2016 and around 500 cars were to scheduled have the new design.

Police will still maintain a small amount of “stealth” traffic enforcement vehicles. Those cars are also grey, but do not have lights on the roof or highly visible markings.

Nick Westoll contributed to this report