The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is changing the look of all sheriff’s office vehicles starting this week.

Sheriff Shane Nelson has opted for a “classic” law enforcement look of black and white and an image of a badge on the door with the word “Sheriff.”

It will replace the more “modern” green vinyl vehicle “skins” that feature a gold star.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Sgt. William Bailey said the change is meant to send a message.

“The sheriff wants the community to know when there’s a deputy on the street,” Bailey said.

“He wants there to be no question when they see the black and white.”

Updating the vinyl skins on all vehicles in the sheriff’s fleet will occur as they’re taken out of rotation or when regular maintenance comes due, a process that will take several years, Bailey said.

By June 30 — the end of fiscal year 2018-2019 — the office intends to have 30 vehicles sporting the new look: 10 Dodge Chargers, eight Dodge Ram pickups and 12 Dodge Durango SUVs.

Bailey said that because updating the vehicles will coincide with regular upkeep that would have included new skins, the change won’t add to the budget.

As well as the new look, sheriff’s office vehicles are equipped with all-wheel drive, Bailey said. That upgrade took several years, as old, 2-wheel-drive Crown Victoria Police Interceptor models were replaced.

A ubiquitous vehicle in law enforcement in the 1990s, the Crown Vic was discontinued by manufacturer Ford in 2011.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com