Mike Colón Media

In the mid-1990s, a quiet but significant change appeared on New York City patrol cars — the familiar “NYC Police” lettering gave way to “NYPD POLICE.”

Former Deputy Commissioner of Fleet Services Robert Martinez recalls how that transition reflected more than a cosmetic tweak. Commissioner Howard Safir and Mayor Rudy Giuliani wanted the fleet’s markings to be instantly recognizable to both locals and out-of-towners, especially international visitors. “NYPD” wasn’t just an abbreviation — it became a global brand synonymous with New York City itself.

In this excerpt from Mic’d In New Haven, Martinez walks through that evolution, the rise of the iconic Crown Victoria patrol car, and how vehicle design helped define an era of modern policing in New York.

VIEW INTERVIEW HERE: