Kentucky State Police Mustang GT enters national contest for “best-looking cruiser,” department asks public for votes

The Kentucky State Police have entered a Ford Mustang GT into the 2026 Best Looking Cruiser Contest and are asking the public to vote for the department’s entry, according to LEX18. The contest is run annually by the American Association of State Troopers, and the department said the vote is part of the contest process for selecting a winner, with the public encouraged to participate online.

LEX18 reported that the department’s submission is being presented as a cruiser entry in the national contest and that the voting period is open as of June 29, 2026. The department’s request centers on community involvement and public recognition of law enforcement vehicles used for patrol and public safety operations.

The American Association of State Troopers hosts the contest each year, with participating agencies submitting vehicles for consideration. The Kentucky State Police’s participation places a state trooper vehicle into a broader national review alongside other state agencies that also choose an existing cruiser for the contest’s judging and voting workflow.

While the LEX18 report focuses on the voting campaign, the practical effect for residents is limited to online participation in the contest. The department’s request does not indicate that the Mustang GT is being reassigned away from normal operations or that any changes to patrol deployment are connected to the contest submission, only that the department is seeking votes as part of the contest.

As of the report date, the Kentucky State Police said members of the public can vote for the entry. The department did not describe additional requirements for voters beyond following the contest process, and residents are expected to use the contest voting mechanism provided for the event.

The contest also provides a public-facing avenue for state agencies to present uniformity, branding, and vehicle appearance in a way that is separate from routine traffic and enforcement duties. In prior years, such contests typically function as a recognition program rather than an operational change, and the LEX18 reporting describes the Kentucky State Police effort in that framework.

After the voting window closes, the contest results would be determined under the American Association of State Troopers’ contest rules, including any further review steps beyond the public vote. The Kentucky State Police’s role, as described in the reporting, is to support its submission and participate in the process to advance through the contest.

For Kentucky residents, the next step is to cast a vote if they choose to participate during the contest period. The department’s message underscores that the contest is open to public participation and that the state police entry depends on community support to move through the contest’s public voting phase.