Security firm says police-style cars help to fight crime Kristopher Medcalf and Raymond Adams from Rent-A-Cop security firm which uses cars that look similar to police cars. BOSSES of a Queensland security company believe they are not crossing the thin blue line by using patrol cars bearing a striking similarity to genuine police vehicles. The Queensland Police Union wants security firms banned from using symbols and markings that closely resemble real police logos but Rent-A-Cop general manager Clinton Stephen said the company's controversial vehicle markings were helping to fight the rising tide of crime. Police Union president Ian Leavers called on the State government to tighten legislation on the use of police-style patterns and logos. The Rent-A-Cop vehicles feature the distinctive blue and white chequered logo of the police service as well as a crest logo commonly found on police vehicles. "Private companies should be prevented from using police symbols that closely resembles the police crest if it falsely gives the impression of a police service," Mr Leavers said. I call on the government to ensure that these private companies who are only out there to make a profit, are not misappropriating police images in an attempt to pass themselves off as police. However, Queensland Police Minister Jack Dempsey said he had no issue with Rent-A-Cop or its vehicle markings. "They're not doing anything illegal and we have no plans to change the legislation," he said. Mr Stephen said his company, which had just expanded into the Gold Coast, took its role and responsibilities very seriously. "The design of our vehicles is a visual deterrent to crime (but) it is against the law to impersonate a police officer and we don't pertain to be police officers," he said. In fact, we have an excellent working relationship with the police. He said Rent-A-Cop, which includes former police officers, soldiers and even government agents from the USA, aimed to drive up standards in the security industry. "There's a lot of unprofessionalism in the industry and a lot of people who don't really know what they're doing, but our guys have a tremendous wealth of experience," he said. We have over 20,000 clients in southeast Queensland and we are the very best at what we do. He said customers, who ranged from private homeowners to the corporate sector, appreciated the peace of mind of the company's police-like patrol car markings. "There's pros and cons to it (the markings) but overall, it's all positive," he said.