The SCP Graphics Guide

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American Flag Graphics:

As agencies continue to get creative to attract applicants, many are shifting their efforts towards actively recruiting veterans. This has led to the American Flag wrap being one of the more popular ways for agency recruiters to stand out. The vehicles immediately stand out with bold bursts of red, white, and blue color pops. Creativity is key with this design, and you’re only limited by your vendors ability to deliver. The St. John County Sheriff’s Office (Florida) is one department that doubled down on this look by creating the appearance of paint peeling away revealing an American Flag covered in Patriotic keywords.

 

Coastal Graphics:

Coastal communities typically thrive on tourism. Some agencies have opted to leverage key design elements that showcase what makes them great places to live, work, and play. Examples include Holmes Beach Police Department (Florida) getting creative by integrating a wave into a standard stripe. The Ponce Inlet Police Department (Florida) has also embraced this strategy to bring attention to the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, the tallest in the State of Florida. 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Graphics:

More than likely, you or someone you know has been impacted by Breast Cancer. That’s why this graphic design trend is quickly gaining momentum with law enforcement agencies across the country. Typically, agencies will give a deadlined unit new life by undergoing a full upfit with custom paint, decals, and pink LEDs for an extra pop at community events. It’s important to note that local hospital systems will typically sponsor to place these units on the road. Be sure to check before deciding to absorb the cost within your agency’s budget.  

 

Christmas Graphics:

Other than the New York Police Department, the Kernersville Police Department (North Carolina) is one of the few agencies we’ve encountered that specifically wraps a cruiser with Christmas themed decals. Throughout the year, the agency will change the vehicle wrap on a spare unit to proactively engage with the community. 

Collegiate Graphics:

Very few collegiate law enforcement agencies incorporate the school mascot in their designs. However, the University of Florida Police Department and University of Central Florida couldn’t be happier to showcase these iconic elements on the side of their cruisers. Of course, permission from each schools athletic department was required before moving forward. 

 

Community Oriented Policing Graphics:

Creating a connection with the general public sometimes involves getting creative. That’s why some agencies are actively investing in decals that highlight the importance of a strong partnership with the community. The designs are typically bold, and are meant to grab your attention. 

D.A.R.E. Graphics:

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was originally founded in the 1980’s in Los Angeles, California. Though not as common in South Carolina as it once was, some agencies still actively wrap their vehicles with D.A.R.E. logos, and of course Daren, the programs mascot.  

Choose Your Ride Graphics:

In recent years, some agencies have opted to use spare cruisers as a visual aid to highlight the cost of impaired driving. The Choose Your Ride design involves the backend of a unit being painted like a taxi cab, while the front maintains its law enforcement appearance. Some agencies like the North Charleston Police Department (South Carolina), actively park their unit around around with heavy foot traffic such as shopping outlets, colleges, or entry points to the airport as a mobile billboard. 

Ghost Graphics:

Effective, and cheaper than full color decals. Ghost Graphics have become increasingly popular among Traffic Units across the Southeastern United States. During the day, they offer the benefits of having an unmarked unit that can easily blend in with traffic to catch aggressive drivers. At night, the decals are fully reflective giving the appearance of a marked cruiser, ultimately helping increase officer safety on traffic stops. It’s important to note that many vendors struggle effectively matching the vinyl to properly ghost lighter colored vehicles.

Honor Guard Graphics:

In Florida, many agencies provide members of the Honor Guard with a fully wrapped cruiser. The vehicles not only provide the officers assigned to the detail with a sense of pride, but also serve as a rolling tribute for officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Agencies that have a fully wrapped Honor Guard unit include: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. 

Military Appreciation Graphics:

The Christiansburg Police Department (Virginia) has the distinction of being one of the first agencies to use a vehicle wrap to honor America’s Veterans. The partial wrap first appeared on the agency’s 2014 Dodge Charger, and was widely featured in the now defunct Hendon Publishing Law Enforcement Vehicle Design Competition. Since then, this specific theme has become widely utilized as a go-to graphics package for recruitment vehicles. Common design elements include: Iwo Jima, Digital Camouflage, and the seals for each branch of the Armed Forces. 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) Graphics:

The message is simple, don’t drink and drive. As a mobile billboard, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) design is most notably used in Florida. In fact, the decals are actually subsidized by M.A.D.D. making it a win/win for the department. This decal application can be as simple as just adding the M.A.D.D. logo to a Traffic Unit, all the way to shifting your vehicles primary decal color to red, the official color of the non-profit. 

Recruitment Graphics:

As more agencies across the country struggle to fill open positions, recruiters have started getting creative to help them stand out. This has led to specially designed vehicles being utilized that usually display a more unique design from the mainline fleet. They include bold titles, websites to apply, and QR codes for quick and easy access to position details.   

Retro Graphics:

Several agencies across the country have started to invest in specially designed vehicles or badges to commemorate the departments anniversary. Though not as common in the Carolinas, the Sumter Police Department (South Carolina) and Gaston County Police Department (North Carolina) both unveiled retro units to give a nod to the past.  

Skyline Graphics:

Some agencies have the luxury of serving picturesque communities that have grown into tourist hotspots. This has led to what we refer to as the “Skyline” design which showcases the abundantly beautiful geography surrounding these agencies jurisdictions. Examples include the Boone Police Department (North Carolina) and Abingdon Police Department (Virginia). Both have embraced their mascots with the Sasquatch and Wolfe being prominently displayed on these mainline cruisers. Bonus! These designs are also an effective way to engage with the community. 

 

Thin Blue Line Graphics:

Easily one of the top 3 most popular design elements referenced on this page. The Thin Blue Line design has been used in a wide range of applications. Whether it’s a subtle element across the entire fleet, a dedicated tribute for fallen officers, or a big and bold vehicle wrap for recruitment, this design has endless possibilities.