Tesla Cybertrucks owned by the Las Vegas Metro Police department is on display in Las Vegas on Tuesday Oct, 28th 2025. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas is about to deploy the nation’s largest police fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, thanks to a $2.7 million donation from a U.S. tech billionaire, raising questions about the influence of private funding on public safety.
“Welcome to the future of policing,” Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said during a recent press conference, surrounded by the fleet while drones hovered above and a police helicopter circled overhead.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department will receive 10 black-and-white Cybertrucks outfitted with lights, sirens, and the department’s logo. Approximately 400 officers have been trained to operate the vehicles, which will charge at public stations.
The all-electric trucks are equipped with shotguns, shields, ladders, and extended battery capacity to handle police operations, McMahill said.
While the donation allows the department to modernize its fleet, government oversight experts caution that such gifts can blur the lines between public services and private interests—and provide a boost to Tesla’s brand. The department is the latest U.S. city to adopt Tesla vehicles, even as Elon Musk’s company has faced scrutiny over his political activities and federal policy positions earlier this year.
McMahill emphasized the trucks’ safety benefits, noting that they are bulletproof, unlike most other squad cars. Each Cybertruck is valued between $80,000 and $115,000 and will respond to incidents such as barricades and shootings in addition to routine patrols. The vehicles also offer features like a tighter turning radius, he added.
“They look a little bit different than the patrol cars that we have out there, but they represent something far bigger than just a police car,” McMahill said. “They represent innovation, sustainability, and our continued commitment to serve this community with the best tools available, safely, efficiently, and responsibly.”
Cybertruck recalls raise safety questions
The fleet comes after a turbulent year for Tesla, including multiple recalls. In March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalled over 46,000 Cybertrucks due to detachable exterior panels along the windshield, creating a potential hazard. Tesla replaced the panels free of charge.
In late October, Tesla recalled another 63,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. over headlights that were deemed too bright, posing a potential risk to other drivers.
Las Vegas officer Robert Wicks said all recalls have been addressed before the Cybertrucks begin patrolling. The modified police trucks do not have self-driving capabilities, which have been under federal investigation following reports of crashes and traffic violations in standard Tesla models.
Community concerns and private influence
Some community advocates question the trucks’ intimidating design and the influence of private donations. Laura Martin, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund, said, “It just seems like Cybertrucks arriving on the streets of Clark County shows that Sheriff McMahill is prioritizing corporate giveaways and police militarization over real community needs.”
Athar Haseebullah of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada raised concerns about potential surveillance capabilities and Tesla’s access to police data. Past incidents, such as the explosion of a Cybertruck outside President Trump’s Las Vegas tower, demonstrated that Tesla could provide detailed data about drivers to authorities.
Legal experts note that private donations to law enforcement are not unusual or illegal unless prohibited by local law. Ed Obayashi, a special prosecutor and policing expert, said the Cybertrucks provide no special operational advantage beyond being free vehicles that save taxpayers money.
About the donors
The donation came from Ben Horowitz, co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and his wife, Felicia Horowitz. The couple, Las Vegas residents, have previously contributed $8–9 million for the department’s Project Blue Sky, which implements drones citywide, and funded emergency call technology and license plate readers.
Ben Horowitz, who has supported both Democratic and Republican political campaigns and invested in Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X), previously hosted McMahill and Metro Chief of Staff Mike Gennaro on a podcast. In a 2024 blog post, Horowitz stressed the importance of supporting public safety and noted the challenges public departments face in funding technology.