BOARDMAN, Ohio - Ford recently announced a new product designed to protect law enforcement from exposure to COVID-19 and Boardman Township Police were one of the first ones to give the product a try.

The process utilizes the existing powertrain and climate control systems in the Ford Police Interceptor vehicles to safely elevate the vehicle's interior temperature to 133 degrees for 15 minutes to kill any hazardous viruses including COVID-19.

Ford conducted software operational trials in vehicles owned by six agencies in the United States including the Boardman Township Police Department.

Other law enforcement agencies involved in the testing were the New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Michigan State Police, Massachusetts State Police, and Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Florida.

Boardman's involvement was facilitated by Boardman Police Department's Fleet Manager, Mike Carkido, who serves on Ford's National Law Enforcement Advisory Board.

The new heated software enhancement system is being installed in all of the Boardman Police Department's cruisers and will be used as another step in keeping officers and the public safe.