An Irvine boy named Brandon spent a day wearing the badge of honorary police chief, riding in the department’s Tesla Cybertruck, watching a SWAT demonstration, and getting sworn in by Chief Michael Kent himself. The experience came after Brandon’s family won a silent auction supporting Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, turning a charity bid into a full day inside the Irvine Police Department.
According to a post from the Irvine Police Department, Brandon toured the department, met specialized units, sat in on a police briefing, and even had lunch with Chief Kent. A swearing-in ceremony marked the occasion, complete with a certificate identifying him as Chief for a Day, and the department capped things off by providing a motor escort to send him home.
A Cybertruck Built for Moments Like This
Part of what made Brandon’s ride-along stand out was the vehicle itself. Irvine’s Tesla Cybertruck, unveiled in October 2024, became the nation’s first police Cybertruck after a custom build by UP.FIT at a cost of $153,175.03, according to Electrek. The department designated it for community outreach and DARE programs rather than routine patrol, using public safety funds specifically to foster positive interactions with local youth.
The truck is more than a novelty vehicle. Per GlobeNewswire, the build includes Whelen emergency lighting, a custom electrical harness for mobile data computers and radios, under-seat rifle mounts, and factory ballistic-grade stainless steel body panels, all completed by Unplugged Performance’s public safety division.
SWAT, Drones, and a Trip to the Great Park Balloon
Brandon’s day also included a SWAT demonstration and a drone demonstration, giving him a front-row look at two of the department’s more technical capabilities. The Irvine Police Department expanded its unmanned aerial system program into a Drone as First Responder initiative in late 2023, dispatching teleoperated drones directly to 911 calls ahead of ground officers so they can assess emergency scenes in real time, according to DroneVideos.com. The department pre-positions drones on tall buildings to stream aerial video to arriving officers…