The DeKalb Police Department received new patrol squad cars for the first time in the three years.

The police department received five new squad cars from the city because of the condition of the current vehicles. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority gave the department a $20,000 grant that will go towards a sixth patrol vehicle.

“You can imagine the wear and tear that goes with operating a police car,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

Feithen also said the city budgeted for a seventh squad car that the department plans to purchase this fall.

He said members of the department chose a new decal that will be on the new squad cars.

“We had about 10 to 12 ideas that were posted up and we voted on the top three vote-getters and chose one,” Feithen said.

According to a City of DeKalb press release, Johnn Lucius and Ted Jouris, public works sign technicians, will install the new decal on the patrol vehicles.

The release stated as soon as the decals are completed, city mechanic Jim Pearre will install specialty hardware including bumpers and cages, and the city’s IT Department will finish the vehicles with computer and camera equipment.

“These are modern, hi-tech, state-of-the-art patrol vehicles that can stay in constant communication with each other and with the dispatch.” Feithen said in the press release.