Detailing police vehicles is it worth it?

Billand

Billand

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I have been thinking about offering services to local police departments to clean up the interiors of the police cars.

1. Is it profitable. How much to charge
2. What equipment is needed
3. Do I need to get certified to do this


I am a mobile detailer and have almost Lots of products and a good clientele list. I just want to grown my business to keep me busy all week long

Thanks bil
 
Obviously, this probably changes from city to city, but as far as I know, police car care is in the hands of individual officers.

My friend is a cop and I often meet up with him to chat at car washes when he doesn't have much going on. Officers in my own community are often spotted at car washes as well, so from my own experience, it's not a department choice.

That's not to say that they might not have a more major service done every so often, but it seems a lot of departments want to push that cost onto their officers.
 
Our force has paid for bed bug removal on multiple cars.


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Here they make people in jail wash the cars. I see 2 or 3 guys in jail jumpsuits washing the officers cars. I think it is some type of county work program.
 
We have an officer that does the cleaning of are cruisers well over sees inmates doing it 8)
 
I have a friend Who's brother has a contract with the post offices in our area. I don't know how true it is but he tells me that the post office people are not legally allowed to wash there own vehicles it has to be contracted out. Maybe something to look into.
 
We had our vehicles detailed and we were charged $75.00 a piece. I'm sure it was a wash, wax and interior scrub down. This is in SW Michigan.

Now if you want to do this I will give you two fair warnings. One, watch whats in the back seat. I personally wouldn't touch it. So many people either puke, or go to the restroom in the back not to mention what they leave under the seats.

Second thing is that although its a good idea, keep in mind that you are assuming some liability. Like stated above many things can be found in both the front and backseat of our cars.

This is just some food for thought. Our cars are often neglected and do need some tlc. Most that have body work done and its some pretty cheap paint. I hope some of this info helped and good luck on getting more business.
 
I do detailing/washes for the local PD. I wash the SWAT and mobile command units and a few other things. I personally wouldn't touch the cruizers. Police work with the scum of society. I've seen cars after people have crapped and threw up in them. I know by me, they take them to the local car wash place and pay around $3.50 per car to get them washed inside and out. The car wash place does it for the PR and they always have cops at their business.

I would target the specialty vehicles myself. Way more profitable and you don't have to worry about Hep and AIDS among other things. They get the specailty vehicles washed 1 time a month and anytime before they have a parade or public event. I've done a simple wash with wax in the soap and tire dressing for around $100. They like that they can call anytime and have it done asap. Its also nice to work with the local PD.
 
Billand said:
I have been thinking about offering services to local police departments to clean up the interiors of the police cars.

1. Is it profitable. How much to charge
2. What equipment is needed
3. Do I need to get certified to do this
Click to expand...

Let alone the need for cleaning the front seating area (Donut-orts, coffee stains :D )...
Just think of the 'citizens', and their various 'conditions', that become occupants of a police car's rear seating compartment!!
(Think of this in the same vein as a "Crime Scene Clean-Up")

In order to insure your health and safety...I would, if I was you, obtain training that at least meets the minimum OSHA requirements for certification in:
-Bloodborne Pathogens
-Personal Protective Equipment
-Respiratory Protection
-HazMat
-Bio-Hazards disposal (permits required)

BTW: The above list is not all inclusive...Your State and/or Local OSHA/EPA guidelines may vary.

As for tools/equipment...Here's a few
-Extractor
-Steamer
-Vacuum
-Proper PPE (HazMat suit/gloves; respirator; Bio-spill boots; etc.
-Bio-Hazard Containment Bags
-Carpet/fabric cleaners
-Permits where/when needed

Making Money:
-Move to a larger city...More crimes per capita...That, and along with:
Certification/gaining experience...Should equal:
More money, even Big Money, someday..

Your Health & Safety:
-Always, Always, Comes First and Foremost...IMHO.

:)

Bob
 
I guess I should have mentioned that I used to work in law enforcement and have transported many people I know what's involved. I know a few cities and 3 sheriffs dept that take the patrol cars to a detailer for interior work the pd maintenance takes care of wash and wax kinda stuff. But the bi hazard stuff they have someone else do.
 
As a former police officer, the onus of cleaning my cruiser fell on me( which was fine by me). Some departments have all take home cruisers, whereas some departments share ("hotseat")from a pool of cruisers.

I would also agree that the backseat is vinyl and the floor is rubber for a reason. There is a lot of nasty stuff that can happen back there. While transporting people to detention, I have had them urinate, defecate, vomit, spit back there. Nevermind transporting homeless with their assorted hygeine related issues. (this of course played wonders in my mind. I am admitted germaphobe)
 
On a side note we don't put people/inmates in our cruisers we have vans that pick them up
 
In Mass just the State Troopas :) takes their cruiser home,local police bring them back.
 
It's worth it if an officer recognizes you and lets you off"with a warning"
 
Around here the local car wash (mike's) does law enforcement vehicles for free


Ryan

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