Ford Employees Beg Company To Stop Making Police Cars, CEO Pushes Back
After numerous black and white Ford employees begged the automaker to stop manufacturing and selling police cars, the company’s CEO has pushed back against their requests. Responding to the internal outcry, the top executive at Ford Motor Company, Jim Hackett, sent a more than 600-word letter to senior staff.
In his letter, he mentions that although Ford has been vocal about supporting Black Lives Matter and other efforts aimed at diversity and inclusion, the company isn’t doing anything wrong by making and selling police cruisers. Hackett reportedly wrote, “It’s not controversial that the Ford Police Interceptor helps officers do their job. The issues plaguing police credibility have nothing to do with the vehicles they’re driving. In fact, as we imagine the future power of our connected vehicles, smarter Ford vehicles can be used to not only improve officers’ ability to protect and serve, but also provide data that can make police safer and more accountable.”
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He continued, “By taking away our Police Interceptors, we would be doing harm to their safety and making it harder for them to do their job. Again, this is why, given our insights, new capabilities and leadership, I believe these unfortunate circumstances present Ford with an even greater opportunity to not only innovate new solutions but also leverage our unique position to support the dialogue and reform needed to create safer communities for all.”
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