Are These Really Necessary?

Could someone please explain to me why my taxes are paying for the police to drive around in SUV's? Yes I know, regular police cars guzzle gas too, like a cheap whore guzzles...well, you get the picture. If these guys were chasing Bo and Luke offroad through rough country terrain, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But I live in the friggin' city and there is just just no need for these vehicles in my local police department. It makes about as much sense as my mother driving one (as a matter of fact she does, and we give her shit about it all the time). Stupid bastards.