The streets of Las Vegas now feature a sight straight out of a sci-fi film: a fleet of angular, stainless-steel Tesla Cybertrucks, wrapped in police livery and equipped with lights and sirens. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has become the first force in the United States to deploy the controversial electric vehicles for active patrol duty.
The Mysterious Multi-Million Pound Donation
News of the futuristic fleet first surfaced in February 2025, when Sheriff Kevin McMahill posted renderings on social media, declaring the vehicles "badass." The department confirmed the 10 Cybertrucks, plus one additional specialist SWAT vehicle, were a gift from an anonymous supporter, costing taxpayers nothing.
However, the mystery was short-lived. The donors were revealed to be Ben Horowitz, co-founder of the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and his wife, Felicia. The couple, Las Vegas residents and longtime police supporters, finalised the donation, estimated at $2.7 million, in late January 2025 through the law enforcement charity Behind the Blue.
Internal emails obtained by the Guardian show the donation was in the works since December 2024. Chief of Staff Mike Gennaro wrote to Horowitz, stating the vehicles represented "a groundbreaking approach to modern policing" and would boost officer morale.
Controversy and Community Concerns
The acquisition has not been without criticism. Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, questioned the priorities behind accepting such a flashy fleet. "I recognize that LVMPD sees value in having cool-looking vehicles... But the reality is that for communities, that’s not what they’re asking for," Haseebullah said. "They’re asking to feel safer. I don’t know that a Tesla Cybertruck makes anybody feel any safer."
Haseebullah also suggested the move could be seen as an endorsement of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who leads the federal "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) and has faced significant controversy. Musk responded to news of the police fleet on X with a sunglasses emoji.
The donation follows other tech-centric gifts from Horowitz to the LVMPD totalling roughly $8 million, including products from companies within his firm's investment portfolio.
Recall Troubles and Deployment Details
The Cybertruck's integration into police work comes despite a rocky history for the vehicle. In the two years since its release, it has faced 10 separate recalls for issues including panels prone to flying off, overly bright lights, and an accelerator pedal that could cause uncontrolled acceleration. The most recent recall was issued on 30 October 2025 for a light bar that might detach.
The LVMPD stated all recall issues were addressed before the fleet hit the streets in October. The vehicles underwent extensive retrofitting for ten months by a California company called UpFit, which added police gear like barrier shields and ladders. Notably, the department requested the removal of Tesla's "Beast Mode," a setting enabling acceleration from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds.
The SWAT vehicle is intended for high-risk incidents like barricaded suspects, while the patrol trucks will be a common sight. Sheriff McMahill remains bullish, stating the fleet is about building "the most technologically advanced police department on the planet." He added, "Cops are going to look kinda cool in them too."
This move by Las Vegas contrasts with other US cities. Baltimore backed off plans to buy Tesla sedans, and King County, Washington, faced backlash for a similar purchase. Some California police departments testing Tesla sedans found them unfit for duty. Meanwhile, Cybertruck sales have slumped, falling 63% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025 to just 5,385 units.
As these stainless-steel trucks patrol the neon-lit streets, they embody a stark vision of the future of law enforcement—one that prioritises technological spectacle amid ongoing debates about practicality, public trust, and the influence of billionaire donors.
