If a Bismarck police patrol car passes by you, and it occurs to you that it doesn't look quite right, you're right.

The cars, they are a-changing.

The white cars have had block-style red and blue lettering since the early 1990s. But patrol officers were ready for a change, an updated look, and so a committee came up with a flowing black and silver slanted-letters design.

"The officers really like them," said Bismarck Police Lt. Keith Witt, the committee chair. "And we've gotten nothing but positive comments from the public."

There are about 18 cars in the department's fleet. So far, three new 2005 Chevy Impalas, bought to replace three aging vehicles, have been painted with the new design and lettering. And in the immediate or near future, another six cars will be repainted with the new design. The rest of the fleet are high-mileage and will have to be replaced soon, so no repainting for them. The department will wait for new cars.

Next to be updated: Officers would like a uniform change - do away with the light blue shirts and make the entire uniform navy blue. But that's not happening. Not now, anyway.

Witt said the bosses are firm about keeping the status quo there because of the expense of buying about 10 to 12 new short- and long-sleeve shirts per officer.