Toronto's chief of police has stopped the rollout of redesigned grey police cars after city council asked the force to keep its old white, red and blue design.

Coun. Michael Thompson brought the issue to council because he said residents were concerned about the "militaristic" look of the squad cars.

On Thursday, council passed Thompson's motion calling on police to halt the purchase and distribution of the cars.

The new cars started rolling out earlier this year, and were to be phased in over the next few years.

They have a grey body with grey and white text, deviating from the traditional white, red and blue style.

Chief Mark Saunders made the announcement that he has decided to stop phasing in the new cars in a news release sent out Thursday afternoon.

"There are people who like them. There are people who don't like them," the statement reads. "The concern that has been expressed has convinced me that further work is necessary."

The statement neither mentioned council's vote, nor did it discuss residents' reasons for disliking the car design.

But Thompson's motion sheds more light on potential reasons.

The document distributed to councillors suggests that Torontonians may not instantly recognize the new cars as belonging to police.

"The proposed stealth grey colour scheme appears to be at odds with Toronto's desire for a publicly engaged, community-focused police service," the motion reads.

The document explains that it has to do with the psychology of colour -- people subconsciously associate white, red and blue with values like clarity, courage and intelligence respectively.

"Studies have also discovered that at its best, grey evokes neutrality and at its worst projects a lack of confidence, depression, remoteness and a lack of energy," it says.