NATCHEZ — Three of the five brand new patrol cars ordered by the Natchez Police Department more than one year ago are now on the streets.

Police Chief Mike Mullins ordered five 2009 Chevrolet Impalas in December 2008 at a cost of approximately $19,000 each. The V-6 engine cars were delivered in April 2009, and since that time, the new cars have been rolled out to replace older cars that are no longer functional.

Mullins said the length of time between ordering and delivery of the cars is customary.

Two NPD cars were totaled in separate collisions in January, which prompted Mullins to begin outfitting the new cars.

The department’s 15-car patrol fleet mostly consists of Ford Crown Victorias, but Ford has decided that 2011 will be the final year for the Crown Victoria, Mullins said.

“We went to the Chevrolet Impala to reduce fuel and vehicle cost without compromising performance,” Mullins said. “(The Impalas) have performed as well as the Crown Victorias in tests performed by police agencies.”

Mullins said the Impalas have better gas mileage and are $2,000 cheaper than the Crown Victorias, which cost approximately $21,000 each. Because the Impalas are smaller than the Crown Victoria, the department chose a new stripe design for the new cars.

Instead of the red, green and yellow stripes on the older cars, the new cars sport a black and blue stripe design, Mullins said.

When an old car has run its course, the patrol equipment is stripped from the old car and installed in the new car. Mullins said outfitting a patrol car with new equipment can easily cost $8,000.

Mullins said the department usually orders patrol cars every December, but due to budget constraints, no cars were ordered in December 2009.

Mullins said he has informed Mayor Jake Middleton and the Natchez Board of Aldermen that the department might have to purchase a new patrol car in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Mullins said he plans to order more patrol cars this December.

“We hope to be able to make it until next March,” Mullins said.