The Blue Ribbon Panel, which was established to review and recommend improvements to police practices in traffic patrol situations, has recommended new truck packing policies for the CVPI.

Loading/packing of materials in the trunks of vehicles should be reviewed to be sure that these recommendations by Ford are being followed: http://www.cvpi.com/trunk_packing_procedures.htm.

However, it is our opinion that these recommendations do not adequately deal with the problem of electronic equipment. The mounting guide allows electronic equipment to be mounted behind the fuel tank where it can puncture the tank, as per the Texas DPS vehicle in Bee County and the Robert Smith case. If possible, electronic equipment in metal cases should be relocated to the package tray (next to the spare tire). If this is not possible, such equipment should be located as far rearward in the trunk as possible consistent with other requirements of the equipment mounting guide.