Cumming City Council Unanimously Approves Three Dodge Durango Patrol Vehicles

The Cumming City Council voted unanimously at a regularly scheduled meeting to purchase three Dodge Durango patrol vehicles for the Cumming Police Department, with a total price tag of $205,951 and some change covering the trucks fully outfitted and ready for the street.

The price includes the vehicles themselves along with emergency lights, cages and radio systems. Notably, taxpayers' general fund dollars won't cover the cost. Chief PJ Girvin said funding for the vehicles would be issued through the City of Cumming Police Foundation, not the general budget, making the Police Foundation the financial engine behind the acquisition rather than city coffers.

The foundation, established under Georgia Senate Bill 361 as a qualified law enforcement foundation, has previously supported department needs outside the normal appropriations process, giving Cumming police a mechanism to pursue equipment upgrades without competing against other municipal budget priorities.

"These vehicles will support our officers in safely and effectively serving the community," police said in a statement.

Girvin began his law enforcement career with the Atlanta Police Department, including a stint in the Apex Unit targeting violent street crimes and time in the Executive Protection Unit providing security for Atlanta's mayor, before returning to his roots in Forsyth County. He was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Cumming in June 2023.

The Dodge Durango has become a common choice for Georgia departments in recent years. The Durango Pursuit offers both a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine and an available 5.7L HEMI V8, with all-wheel drive standard on both engine options. The Cumming purchase documents do not specify engine configuration or trim level.

The council's unanimous approval signals no dissent over either the vehicle selection or the foundation funding arrangement. The vote adds three new units to a department that, according to its own mission, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit Cumming, with safety, crime prevention, and community trust as primary goals.

The Cumming Police Department is headquartered at 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Whether the three Durangos are replacing aging units or expanding the fleet has not been publicly confirmed by the department.