Question for a LEO

I drove a very nice unmarked, maroon Caprice in the mid-90s for about 2 years when I was on a traffic/DUI detail. Awesome car. No markings, but plenty of lights on the rear deck and on the center of the front dash. Also had spotlights on both sides, right side being red. It screamed "POLICE!" if you just paid the slightest amount of attention. Needless to say it was quite a surprise to lots of folks who didn't pay attention and liked to drive like a-holes.

I would love to find one of those cars in good shape today.

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Originally Posted by cstone

As stated, unmarked vehicles with the proper emergency equipment (primarily red and blue lights) are frequently used for traffic enforcement, and the State Patrol is one of the biggest users of unmarked vehicles for traffic.

YES. It is legal, and I know many guys who do it (who work for different departments)

To the best of my knowledge, it is illegal for non-law enforcement to have red and blue lights in their vehicle. This law was changed within the past few years due to impersonation cases.

Just having red and blues mounted is a misdemeanor traffic offense. Using red and blues in a capacity intended to simulate LE (i.e. flashing lights to get someone to slow down, stop, pull them over, etc.) is a Felony offense

When in doubt, call 911 while driving at a safe speed to a populated area before pulling over. The dispatcher should be able to confirm that the car pulling you over is a genuine police officer.

YEP

Hope this helps.

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The red and blue can't be facing forward

According to what i just read. Blue or red or green seen from the front designates emergency vehicles in this state.

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Originally Posted by cstone

To the best of my knowledge, it is illegal for non-law enforcement to have red and blue lights in their vehicle. This law was changed within the past few years due to impersonation cases.

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I've seen tons of CDOT trucks running reds and blues recently. It's pissing me off, I didn't think it was legal either.

PS - not on the old orange trucks...on the newer white ones sporting the fancy new logo.

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Originally Posted by hollohas

I've seen tons of CDOT trucks running reds and blues recently. It's pissing me off, I didn't think it was legal either.

PS - not on the old orange trucks...on the newer white ones sporting the fancy new logo.

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I saw that today; a white CDOT truck sporting red and blues on the sides and they were activated as they were working on an intersection.

I'm torn on this issue. As a rule, I believe the main job of the police (including traffic) is to serve the community. And generally I think attempting to be unseen by the community through the removal of identifying insignia is contrary to that "service" priority. (Except in the case of detective work).

We all know marked cars sitting on the side of the road do slow traffic speeds. So if the main goal is to keep people safe, that seems like the more effective method. Also, a marked unit can stay busy literally ALL day long writting tickets, so even if the main goal is to write tickets, I don't see how an unmarked car gets that job done better than a marked car.

Actaully, no, I'm not torn. I don't understand the reasoning behind using unmarked cars for traffic work. But not something I'm going to lose any sleep over...

Serving one group in the community (those motorists obeying the law) may justify unmarked units to catch those motorists disobeying the law (safety). Most would admit that the safety gains from marked units is of a brief duration while within sight of the marked unit. Once out of sight, motorists disobeying the law will go right back to disobeying the law. The fines and penalties associated with unmarked police cars working traffic serves as a punishment for those who police would otherwise not catch with a marked unit.

It is a political decision made by each jurisdiction. For those who believe strongly about prohibiting use of unmarked units should contact their elected representatives and lobby for legislation to that effect. If you are successful you may expect a backlash by numerous citizens who will lobby for safer roads by increased use of unmarked units.

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Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

All goverment vehicles ,City, County and State, have a small vertical GVT to the left of the letters & numbers on the plates.
The plates used to have gray letters & numbers, but they are green now, too easy to spot I guess.

Also, with the state vehicles, their are no registration expiration stickers. They are exempt. I am not sure about the lesser governments.

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This isn't entirely correct, I know of a few LEO agencies that have unmarked cars with civilian plates and registration stickers on the plates. A LEO agency can apply for a set of "dummy" plates though CDOT so the car looks totally civilian, however its kinda rare. Usually the plates with "GVT" written vertically on the left hand side of the numbers is a give away that its a city/county owned vehicle.

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Originally Posted by cstone

Serving one group in the community (those motorists obeying the law) may justify unmarked units to catch those motorists disobeying the law (safety). Most would admit that the safety gains from marked units is of a brief duration while within sight of the marked unit. Once out of sight, motorists disobeying the law will go right back to disobeying the law. The fines and penalties associated with unmarked police cars working traffic serves as a punishment for those who police would otherwise not catch with a marked unit.

It is a political decision made by each jurisdiction. For those who believe strongly about prohibiting use of unmarked units should contact their elected representatives and lobby for legislation to that effect. If you are successful you may expect a backlash by numerous citizens who will lobby for safer roads by increased use of unmarked units.

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There is another safety issue that is being overlooked here. Some agencies require their officers to take the vehicle home so they can be placed "on call". Some Officers don't like having a marked unit parked at their house advertising that an Officer lives there. There is more benefit to an unmarked unit than just "generating revenue" as some have stated. Unmarked vehicles are less of a target for theft (attempting to steal the equipment from the vehicle). Better for working narcotics etc.