Watertown's newest police patrol car, a 2008 Dodge Charger, will serve its first official duty this morning as lead vehicle in the Armed Forces Day parade.

Chief Joseph C. Goss said the department has received the Charger and two Dodge Durangos, and two more Chargers will arrive by the end of the year. One of the cars was purchased with funds from the county's Stop-DWI program, so in about three years, that car will be surrendered to the county.

The purchase of the four other vehicles, with an approximate total value of nearly $111,000, including police equipment, was budgeted last year by the City Council, the chief said.

The new cars feature a return to the traditional black and white patrol vehicle.

Chief Goss said the Durangos will not be used for routine patrol. They will be for the use of lieutenants, but the main reason for obtaining them was for winter driving situations, he said.

Some of the department's more familiar dark blue cars will remain on patrol. Chief Goss said cars are run on a three-year cycle and accumulate about 120,000 miles before they are retired and traded in for new models.

He noted that the odometer readings do not accurately reflect the wear on the cars, since they endure a lot of engine idling time at investigation scenes. The engines must be left running to maintain use of emergency lights and radio and computer equipment.