Six shiny black-and-white 2007 Dodge Magnums with all the bells and sirens were lined up outside City Hall Annex as Mayor John M. Fabrizi checked out the cruisers and their unique features.

The six cars for the canine unit are among the 79 Dodge Charger and Magnum models purchased by the city for $2.4 million to replace the aging, and dangerously deteriorating, fleet of Ford Crown Victorias, the mayor said. He said the other new cruisers will be deployed later this month.

It is the first time the city plans to replace the Police Department's entire fleet of cars at one time.

The new canine cars are equipped with platforms where the rear seats would normally be. The platforms have a special surface to prevent the police dogs from slipping.

Other safety features include all-speed traction control, electronic stability and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.

The cars all have logos to identify them as transporting dogs.

Police Chief Bryan Norwood introduced five members of the canine unit with their dogs. "These men and their partners will take these cars on the road to better protect the city of Bridgeport," he said.

The mayor said the canine unit previously had to use "hand-me-down" cars, some of them 10 and 15 years old.