When Perham police reserve officers are called into action for parades and ceremonial appearances, they perform their duty with style.
Representing the police department at various functions, including the Perham Area Classic Car Show July 9, is a classic 1974 Ford Mustang.
The restored sports car, painted in traditional cop car black and white, was a perfect fit for the car show. The car has been a pet project for longtime Perham Police Reservist Bob Kinlund.
The Mustang is deployed only for ceremonial duty, said Police Reservist Jeff Williams, mostly parades.
Typically, the image of a 1960s-1970s police squad car is a big, black and white, four door dinosaur--not a sporty two door vehicle. But because of their speed and maneuverability, Mustangs were deployed by highway patrols and other law enforcement agencies, particularly on the west coast, noted Williams.
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For Perham's five-member police reserve squad, the Mustang is a source of pride.
Police reservists are not certified police officers, but assist the department for parade and event duty, as well as foot patrol around town and security checks. The squad is booked all summer. Duty includes the Turtle Fest, demolition derbies, foot and bike races, street dances and other events. For the annual East Otter Tail County Fair, which is coming up July 20-23, the squad works 20-hour days.
