Special Service Package Mustangs, also referred to as SSPs, were made from 1982-1993. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) started things off in 1982, with their search for suitable high-speed, enforcement-class vehicles. CHP specifically requested Mustangs from FORD for their rigorous testing, and Ford supplied them with several, including several hatchback models. The durability of the 5.0 cars, coupled with low purchase price and fuel economy (compared with the police-package offerings from the major automakers at the time) proved to be very attractive for CHP and they placed an order for 400 Mustangs (406 total). These were stock 5.0 coupes, but had a few convenience items and specialized parts added to them for police use. Ford referred to this package as "Severe Service", and included single-key locking (one key fits all), a Certified-Calibrated Speedometer, full-size spare, radio noise suppression package, relocated decklid release, and painted the cars in the requisite black and white CHP paint scheme. In 1983, Ford offered the Mustang to other police agencies. Now referred to as the "Special Service Package", many agencies ordered the cars and placed them into service. The Special Service Mustangs continued with about the same option content as the earlier, 1982 CHP-only cars, but other options did start to become available. These included items such as two-piece VASCAR speedometer cables, and agencies could special-order the cars in their specific paint schemes, with the specific option content that they desired. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington were states that put 1983 Mustangs into service, and it's reported that as many as forty agencies in total placed orders for the 1983 Special Service cars. The 1984 Mustangs were offered in the same configurations as the 1983s, with only minor changes that were shared with the regular-production cars. Package content between the years was also unchanged.

The Special Service Mustangs continued to change with their civilian counterparts in 1985, as improvements were made by Ford. The Special Service Package content also changed starting in 1985, with even more changes happening with the 1986 models. Ford offered 15 inch steel wheels and special center caps as standard items on the '85s (non-CFI). These wheels were considered a significant cosmetic and performance improvement over the earlier, 14 inch version. In 1986, Ford started offering more options designed at increasing the durability of the cars. These options included coolant-to-oil engine oil coolers, transmission coolers (automatic-equipped cars), and blue silicone radiator and heater hoses (depending on option ordered).

Ford continued to add to and change the option content on the cars through the 1993 model year. Sadly, with the introduction of the SN-95 body style in 1994, Ford discontinued the Special Service Package option, and hasn't produced a Mustang police car offering since. Unconfirmed numbers from Ford place production of these cars at somewhere near the 15,000 mark, over the 12 year run.