Wareham police are enjoying cruisers with state-of-the-art computers, tools to help stop high-speed pursuits, and enhanced safety features after grant money helped the department secure the new eight-vehicle fleet.

"This fleet with the technology inside ... will surely save lives and give [police] an office they can work in and be proud of on a regular basis," said interim Police Chief Richard Stanley at a press conference Friday, March 5.

"You, the citizens of the community, deserve the best. And I promise you, you will have the best," Stanley said.

The vehicles, 2010 Dodge Chargers, are leased for three years. The town received a $107,000 grant from the Department of Justice, $55,000 of which was used to pay the down payment on the new vehicles, Town Administrator Mark Andrews said in a phone call Tuesday, March 9. The department also got a new SUV.

The town will owe "$99,186 per year for three years," Andrews said. "Chief [Stanley] has filed in the capital outlay plan the remaining payments that are included in the lease. I will support that fully because we needed the vehicles because of the deplorable condition of the fleet," he said. The capital outlay plan lists imminent capital expenditures facing the town and is presented at Town Meeting.

Stanley thanked the Board of Selectmen for its support of the implementation of new policies and procedures since he became interim chief last August. "I've worked closely with [the Board] and none of this would be in place today without that working relationship and the efforts" of all five members of the Board of Selectmen, he said.

Andrews and Selectmen Chairman Bruce Sauvageau commended Stanley for the changes they've seen in the department since he arrived.

"I can say on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, we're extremely proud of our [Police] Department," Sauvageau said. "I know that the Wareham community is better served by the changes that we've seen, and we have the chief and the men and women of this department to thank for that effort."

"Change does not come easy," Andrews said. "It's more than just the shiny new vehicles that you see; it's the spirit and the intent of the chief in moving the [Police] Department forward."

Video: A look inside Wareham Police Department's new cruisers

Officer Dean Decas talks about improved radar technology in the new cruisers with Selectman Jane Donahue.