The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department will begin patrolling streets with the nation's largest fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks in November, following a donation from tech billionaire Ben Horowitz and his wife Felicia. The 10 vehicles, valued at around $2.7 million, aim to enhance officer safety and sustainability. The move has sparked concerns over private influence and vehicle recalls.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill unveiled the fleet of 10 black-and-white Tesla Cybertrucks at a recent press conference, stating, "Welcome to the future of policing," as drones hovered overhead and a police helicopter circled above. The vehicles, donated by Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, and his wife Felicia, total about US$2.7 million. Each Cybertruck is valued between US$80,000 and US$115,000, equipped with flashing lights, sirens, the department's logo, shotguns, shields, ladders, and additional battery capacity for police demands.
About 400 officers have been trained to operate the all-electric trucks, which will use public charging stations and respond to barricades, shootings, and regular patrols. McMahill highlighted their bulletproof design, unlike the department's other squad cars, and a shorter turn radius for better maneuverability. He added, "They represent innovation. They represent sustainability, and they represent our continued commitment to serve this community with the best tools that we have available, safely, efficiently and responsibly."
The donation follows the Horowitzes' previous contributions, including US$8 million to US$9 million for Project Blue Sky drones and funds for emergency call technology and license plate readers from Andreessen Horowitz investments. Ben Horowitz, who backed Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition, emphasized public safety in a 2024 blog post.
Concerns arise amid Tesla's recalls: a March recall of over 46,000 Cybertrucks for detaching windshield panels and an October recall of more than 63,000 for overly bright front lights. Officer Robert Wicks confirmed all recalls were addressed before receipt. The modified fleet lacks self-driving features, under federal investigation for incidents like running red lights.
Critics like Laura Martin of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund called the angular trucks "designed for intimidation and not safety," prioritizing "corporate giveaways and police militarisation." Athar Haseebullah of the ACLU of Nevada raised surveillance worries, citing Tesla's data provision after a Cybertruck explosion outside Donald Trump's Las Vegas tower. Expert Ed Obayashi noted donations are common and legal, saving taxpayer money without distinct advantages.
