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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Chief Road Test

Top Marks from a Top Cop

With what may be the two most important elements of his life by his side, golf clubs and spouse Gail, Vancouver, BC, Canadas top cop Chief Constable Jamie Hamilton Graham set off for Sun Valley, Idaho in a Chrysler furnished, 2004 Pacifica-R. Intending to take advantage of the beautiful drive from Vancouver, BC to Sun Valley, Idaho, Chief Graham ordered up this ideally suited set of wheels and committed himself to the role of automotive test pilot in the process.

At 54 years young, the Chief is a long-standing auto fanatic who enjoys critically evaluating a new set of wheels almost as much as he does commanding the 1,100 member Vancouver Police Department. Upon hearing stories of his driving adventures and misadventures behind the wheel of black and whites over his 33 years as a police

Vancouvers top cop Chief Constable Jamie Hamilton Graham set off for his destination in a Chrysler-furnished, 2004 Pacifica-R. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

officer, one would undoubtedly give the Chief full credit for his dual role. Unfortunately the statute of limitations has yet to expire permitting the unfettered disclosure of such events - but take my word for it the yarns are plentiful and amusing.

In addition to road testing Chryslers crossover touring vehicle, the Chiefs 1,240 mile journey was structured on attending the 2004 Major Cities Chiefs of Police Conference held in the mountain resort

The Chiefs 2,000 kilometer (1,240 mile) journey to Sun Valley, Idaho, made for the perfect lengthy road test . (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

of Sun Valley - where I am led to believe the golfing is good. The Major Cities Chiefs conference is held three times per year and includes police Chiefs from every major city across North America. Discussed at these summits are the difficult and challenging issues such as organized crime and terrorism that threaten major metropolitan areas throughout the continent.

Fortunately for Chief Graham there was a lighter side to his trip which began when Chryslers local PR representative handed over the keys to a fully loaded - and

The Inferno Red 2004 Chrysler Pacifica came with a number of features that made the long trip a lot more comfortable. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Im not talking pistol - Inferno Red 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. A few minutes were needed in order to get acquainted with the vehicles many features, beginning with a demonstration of the power liftgate, standard on the "R" model. Next were instructions on how to optimize the first class leather seating arrangement to best suit the Chiefs specific traveling arrangements, beginning with the third row split bench which folds flat to produce a commodious cargo area behind the second row captain chairs. The second row chairs are heated and separated by an extension of the center console, providing second row occupants with a storage

The Pacifica is a vehicle the really blurs the lines between minivans, SUVs and wagons. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

bin, cup holders and their own fan speed control for the rear ducts. When the second row is also folded flat, and folding parcel shelf attached to the rear of the drivers side seatback dropped into place, an immense, flat floor cargo area materializes.

With Chief Graham and his real-life boss onboard, only the front seats would be required to support derrieres en-route to Sun Valley, lest the Chief should decide to pick up a hitchhiker or two, in which case he could comfortably accommodate up to four thumb-dependent travelers in the vacant perches. Regardless of human density, the Pacifica is a wonderful automotive environment in which to take in the rugged scenery of British Columbia,

The Pacifica sports an exceptionally smooth, car-like ride and much better than average handling dynamics. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Canada and the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Described by Chrysler as a "destination thats well beyond the SUV," the Pacifica crosses over several traditional automotive lines of segmentation by incorporating the virtues of an SUV with those of a minivan cum car based wagon. Although the Chief piloted a front wheel drive model, an all-wheel drive variant would have been made available if the trek would have been attempted mid-winter.

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