According to CVC 24404 (a), what equipment must be removed from a used police vehicle?

In accordance with California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 24404 (a), when a police vehicle is retired from service, specific equipment associated with its law enforcement capabilities must be removed to prevent misuse. The focus is on items that could allow the vehicle to be used inappropriately as a police vehicle again.

The correct answer highlights the necessity to remove the spotlight and the blue and red light bar. These items are significant because they are directly associated with the vehicle’s identification as a law enforcement tool. The blue and red light bar, in particular, signifies the vehicle's authority and presence as an emergency vehicle; retaining such equipment could lead to impersonating a police officer, which poses safety risks to the public and undermines law enforcement integrity.

Other options included do not carry the same legal implication or risk. While mirrors, headlights, bumpers, tires, windows, and doors are essential components of any vehicle, they do not serve the specific role of defining the vehicle as a police unit. Their removal is not mandated under this code, as they do not pose similar risks as the removal of the spotlight or light bar.