Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.

Ford’s Crown Victoria Police Interceptors weren’t the only police cars in America, but for a long time,  they  were the favorite of many departments.

Its roomy interior, predictable handling, big trunk, and old-school body-on-frame ruggedness made it the preferred ride not just for the police officers who drove them but for the departmental mechanics who took care of them.

But Ford stopped building the Crown Vic a couple of years ago, and since then, there has been plenty of competition to fill the gap. General Motors’ ,Chrysler and even Toyota  have all made some gains in this long-closed market. More and more, however, the vehicle that replaces those old Crown Vics isn’t a car: It’s the official version of Ford’s popular Explorer, which is rapidly becoming a police favorite.

Heads up, scofflaws: In more and more places in the U.S., this grill is becoming the on-road face of law enforcement.

In this video, Fool contributor John Rosevear looks at the key contenders in this small but high-profile market and why this version of the Explorer — properly called the “Ford Police Interceptor Utility” — is becoming a favorite of more folks in blue.

Commercial and government fleet sales, which include police cars, are a big part of Ford’s business. Lately, those businesses have been thriving, and that has boosted Ford’s profits.