The days are numbered for the durably tough and powerful Crown Victoria police cruisers. Ford Motor Co. has announced it will cease assembly operations at its Canadian plant and stop building law enforcement’s venerable “tank” used against crime. They’ll still be around for a while, since the average service life is eight years or 100,000 miles.  Some can stretch that from 10 to 11 years and 140,000 miles. But beyond that, who knows what the replacement will be? Steve Shipkowsk, general services manager of San Diego’s Safety Light Fleet, must ponder the future. Similar sturdy cars are not being produced these days since automakers have been urged by the government to build lighter, more economical vehicles. Shipkowski’s responsibilities carry nationwide. He also chairs the North American Vehicle Design and Specification Committee, a 30-member evaluation team that meets in Detroit four times a year. He says the search will be on to read automaker portfolios being presented. Ford wants to retain the business, suggesting the unibody Taurus. Police officials contend that the front-wheel Taurus is too small and wouldn’t have the bells and whistles of the Crown Vic, which is equipped with a column shifter, allowing for electronics and guns. Its big trunk can accommodate all the necessary additional gear. A company named Carbon Motors produced a prototype a few years ago but Shipkowski said it hasn’t rolled anything off an assembly line. Shipkowski began his employment with the San Diego Police Department in 1984 as a body and fender mechanic. After serving as metal fabrication supervisor, he was appointed to his current position in 2007. His overview includes all police department and San Diego fire-rescue support vehicles.  “Since the discontinuance of (GM’s) Caprice, the Crown Victoria is one of the last body-on-frame cars still in production,” Shipkowski said. “They’re tougher and easier to repair.” The preference for its rear-wheel drive, V8 power and body-on-frame construction has been suitable for police driving techniques. Crown Vics come equipped with a heavy-duty transmission and brakes and a 250-horsepower engine. Including trucks, SUVs and vans, the San Diego police have 1,578 vehicles; 560 of those are marked units and 200 for command and investigative needs. “The durability of the Crown Victoria is unmatched,” said Shipkowski, a 25-year member of the department.  “They’re a full steel body on frame that holds up well in collisions or running over curbs. It has crush domes but may not give as much as the average car. “Ford wants to stay active with the police department, offering a portfolio of basic sedans. Their (current) assembly line in Ontario is quite impressive. We inspect the first four off the assembly line of 100 to make sure they’re built to our specifications and make sure they are pursuit-rated with heavy-duty brakes, calibrated speedometers, suspension and cooling.”  You don’t see Crown Vics on the street unless they’re taxis.  Shipkowski maintains 80 percent of the taxicabs are old police cars. At the end of their service, the Crown Vics are evaluated, refurbished and offered for auction. “Nothing is going to replace the Crown Vic… we love that car,” he said. “Now, they’re coming up with more speed and horsepower.  A lot depends on whether other automakers will offer alternatives, such as the Dodge Charger or Chevy Impala. It’s a wait-and-see proposition now.”