The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has introduced a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, which are now patrolling city streets. These vehicles, characterized by their distinctive design and equipped with emergency lights and sirens, mark Las Vegas as the first U.S. city to deploy such a fleet for law enforcement purposes. Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the Cybertrucks as symbols of innovation during a recent press conference.

The donation of the 10 electric vehicles was first announced in February 2025, with the police department attributing the gift to an anonymous benefactor. Subsequent investigations revealed that the donors were Ben and Felicia Horowitz, prominent figures in Silicon Valley and co-founders of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The donation, valued at approximately $2.7 million, was facilitated through a law enforcement charity called Behind the Blue.

The Las Vegas police department has expressed optimism regarding the use of these vehicles, emphasizing that no taxpayer funds were utilized for the acquisition. However, the decision has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, including Athar Haseebullah of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, who questioned the effectiveness of such vehicles in enhancing community safety.

Concerns have also been raised in other U.S. cities regarding the integration of Tesla vehicles into police fleets. For instance, Baltimore previously planned to invest $5 million in Tesla sedans but later abandoned the initiative due to public backlash. Similarly, King County, Washington, faced opposition after announcing the purchase of 120 Tesla vehicles for municipal use.

The Horowitzes have a history of supporting the Las Vegas police department, with previous donations totaling around $8 million, which included advanced technology such as license plate readers and drones. The Cybertrucks were retrofitted by UpFit, a company specializing in modifying vehicles for police applications, and are equipped with tactical gear for various law enforcement scenarios.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the Cybertrucks, the vehicles have faced significant challenges, including numerous recalls for safety issues. Critics have pointed out that the choice of a Tesla over more traditional police vehicles raises questions about the priorities in modern policing and the implications of corporate influence on public safety initiatives. The Las Vegas police department has stated that they addressed the recall issues prior to deploying the Cybertrucks, asserting their commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced police force.