The new LAPD patrol car is a Chevy Caprice that will include a license plate scanner, night vision camera, and a touch screen console.

You can see in the video below just how these cars will work.

In addition to horsepower and firepower, the cruiser is also outfitted with the latest in information technology, with ethernet, Wi-Fi and an experimental wireless-mesh network in the trunk.

Even the bad guys can ride in comfort: cut-outs in the back seat are custom-made to accommodate any handcuffed suspect.

LAPD officials say vehicle wrapping was used on all-black sedans instead of traditional paint to minimize repair expenses and protect resale value. This brings the expected taxpayer cost to be about $20,000.

Drivers can expect to see the new 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV cruising city streets as early as mid-2011.

Not only is the city of Los Angeles broke, the entire state of California is broke. Yet, somehow, the police get fancy new cars at a huge taxpayer cost. The taxpayers get fleeced while real criminals continue with their regular schedule. Given the amount of equipment added to the car as well as the size of the engine and the taxpayers will continue to be on the hook for the terrible gas mileage this car is going to get.

In addition to that, the article is not entirely specific on the cost. This car is normally closer to $30,000 so it appears disingenuous to say the car costs less, fully loaded than it really does. Apparently, the $20,000 is what it will cost to wrap the car or possibly the cost of the additions before the cost of the car is added to it. The real total would be closer to $50,0000-60,000.

Privacy issues will also arise once the police spend all their time automatically scanning license plates and create a location database of cars on the road. In the end, these new cars will be a huge burden on the taxpayers and an invasion of privacy to anyone driving on the streets of LA.