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Old 03-08-2013, 09:39 PM
JOERM JOERM is offline
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Default Under Cover or Unmarked Cop Cars, Why?

A while back a WSP trooper stopped by my work place to check something out. He was in his unmarked car so i asked him a simple question if he liked patrolling in it. He said yes and told a quick story about people who pass him at Mach speed only to be surprised to see the Christmas Lights come on ASAP.

That's one good reason to have unmarked cop rigs but what are the others? I know some people who think it should be against the law.

I think that troopers that drive in unmarked rigs have more fun than those who don't. Just a guess.

So what are the reasons for cops to have unmarked rigs? I'm not talking about security or stuff like that, just local highway patrol type.

This kind of ties into the Crown Vic/Chevy car thing.
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:43 PM
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Well for catching reckless drivers, unmarked is the way to go. Because people don't do that "panic brake" thing when they don't see those party hats.
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:46 PM
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Why would anyone think unmarked police cars should be against the law? It's not like most criminals drive marked cars and LEO's are cheating when we don't.
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegetaman View Post
Well for catching reckless drivers, unmarked is the way to go. Because people don't do that "panic brake" thing when they don't see those party hats.
+100 on the quote. Any tool to help LE do their job of trying to make traffic something we can survive.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:04 PM
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I drive for a living, sales. I cruize at 5 or 6 over posted, no more. 90% of the passers doing a lot more are young women.
I use that term gratiously.
I can spot an unmarked like the Dali Lama.
I am a professional, do not try this at home!!!!
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:04 PM
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As long as I can remember they have been in existence.
Great tool for law enforcement.

I have never been pulled over by one, never.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:10 PM
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Personally I think unmarked cars are great. The DA's have a chance to be themselves without the marked patrol car "cramping their style" Oregon on the other hand, saw fit to require LEO's be in marked patrol cars when running traffic. My standard first line on the citation was; "On XX at about XX hours, in full uniform and in a fully marked patrol car, I observed..." Judge required us to state "venue" or he would dismiss the citation.

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Old 03-08-2013, 10:10 PM
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The PD of an incorporated city within our Metro limits had a nifty "plain wrapper" a few years ago: a nicely tricked out pickup truck (F-150, as I recall), dark green, beautiful truck. When it was time to take down a speeder, or a dope dealer or whoever, that damn thing sprouted blue lights all over! I laughed my butt off the first time I saw it go to work.
Word got around, of course, but then the speeders were slowing down for ANY green F-150.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:15 PM
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They are only unmarked until you turn this little switch thingy on.

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Old 03-08-2013, 10:20 PM
R. G. Amos R. G. Amos is offline
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The problem with unmarked police cars is that it makes it easier for a non-police officer to impersonate a real police officer. Uniforms are not that difficult to get, but marked police cars are.
Further, a good many civilians will not stop for an unmarked car.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:20 PM
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I drove a variety of unmarked vehicles in my career...and some were when assigned to "traffic" duties.

Off the top of my head: Camaro, Ford F-150, 325 Beemer, Honda Civic, Infinity Q-ship, and more...plus my all time favorite....Lexus SC 400.

Traffic stops when in mufti were discouraged but were often necessary. Folks didn't often understand when lit up by something they didn't comprehend.

Yes, protocols were in place to address/resolve their ignorance.

Be safe.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:35 PM
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I must say that the Colorado State Patrol stealth cars are extremely high-tech and way cool! So are their motorcycles.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawandorder View Post
Isn't that a frame grab from Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Get pulled over by him, lose 18 hours out of your life.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:42 PM
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Best unmarked police vehicle I ever saw with my own eyes was...wait for it...a Sante Fe. Yes, a Hyundai Sante Fe. The town just south of me has one, and I personally think it's great. Talk about unsuspecting!
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fredo Batali View Post
Personally I think unmarked cars are great. The DA's have a chance to be themselves without the marked patrol car "cramping their style" Oregon on the other hand, saw fit to require LEO's be in marked patrol cars when running traffic. My standard first line on the citation was; "On XX at about XX hours, in full uniform and in a fully marked patrol car, I observed..." Judge required us to state "venue" or he would dismiss the citation.

De Oppresso Liber
Two answers I've always wanted to hear in court:

Prosecutor: Officer, were you driving a fully-marked patrol car?

Cop: No, due to budget cuts we could only afford to paint the left side.

or,

Prosecutor: Were you in full police uniform?

Cop: Well, I wasn't wearing any pants.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:49 PM
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What I like is up here the unmarked cars are not unmarked per se. They have graphics on them, that are only slightly lighter or darker than the black paint of the car they are on, and they are only visible from the sides. On the very rear of the car, well there is the plate hunter system, so really if you know what those things are, then you know what you are looking at. The NYSP have cars that have no light bars but have all the paint and graphics so that they are not true unmarked. I remember when I first started the only unmarked cars was our old patrol/Veterans Affairs/County nursing home/health department/Corrections car after everyone else got done driving it first. It wouldn't matter if we ever needed to drive fast (we don't) that old heap couldn't do it and even if you could, the brakes were bad so it couldn't stop.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegetaman View Post
Well for catching reckless drivers, unmarked is the way to go. Because people don't do that "panic brake" thing when they don't see those party hats.
+ Lots on this point. Little story. Years ago in the UK I was driving a car considered a ticket magnet on a motorway when I noticed the traffic stacking up a little. Sure enough, there is the marked Vauxhall Senator pootling along at 60 mph in the slow lane with the speed limit being 70 mph. Nobody seemed to want to pass him at any more than about 63 mph in the middle lane and the fast lane was empty. I duly moved over into the fast lane and blew by at an indicated 75 mph, although I was likely doing less because over-reading speedos are the norm in Europe.

I actually saw the drivers of two other cars point me out to their passengers gesturing "He's going to get nicked". Did the cops react? Of course not, the road was clear, the conditions were good and the traffic light. Besides, I wasn't the one balking the traffic just because I could see a cop car.

The unmarked cars are handy for getting the weavers, tailgaters and those that speed in unsuitable conditions. I've got no problem with them.

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Old 03-08-2013, 11:06 PM
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If I was a cop, I suppose I'd like one of these:



Why? The better catch "violators" of course!
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVSteve View Post
...
The unmarked cars are handy for getting the weavers, tailgaters and those that speed in unsuitable conditions. I've got no problem with them.
Yes, indeed, Steve.

Also, non-LEO's would likely be extremely surprised to know how many thugs get caught by virtue of their blatant disregard of TRAFFIC and/or CRIMINAL laws. In fact, my last bad guy contact before retirement was initiated by stopping a speeder (waaaaaaaay fast ) who was driving a vehicle not belonging to him. Uh, oh!

Be safe.
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:38 PM
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Back bout ten years ago, I was working drug interdiction.

We all used discreet vehicles. I had a black Mercury Marauder.

Got a lot of rolling meth labs and dope on traffic stops.

Most times, a marked unit er two around close.


.
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:58 PM
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Back in Ohio unmarked cars were prohibited by law from making traffic stops. The traffic laws, especially speeding, are sold to the public as being for safety. Running unmarked cars isn't promoting safety, its tax collecting.
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:59 PM
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Our Georgia State Patrol used to have slick top Ford Mustang 5.0L sedans. Those things were near impossible to spot until it was racing up behind you at warp speed.

Does anybody remember that Alabama highway patrol used AMC Javelin's with 401 V-8's back in the 1970's?
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:08 AM
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About 20 years ago I worked with a guy who went off the deep end. Besides working with us he had his own PI business. His son might have commited suicide but he couldnt accept it, told me it was murder. (It was ruled suicide). Then he and his wife divoriced. She went to her home back east and got a job as a police cheif in some small town. She was shot and died on the job. I didnt know her well but seen her a few times. He really went off center. Someone in our city was pulling over people with a pickup bawling them out on traffic things. There was a writeup in the paper telling people to beware etc. I told a buddy I was working with I will bet you thats so and so!
Sure enough, a few days later he pulled over a woman dispatcher on our local sheriffs dept. He played the role, chewed her out for cutting him off etc. but she knew he wasnt a detective as she knew them all. I dont know how much time he got but he still was doing time when I retired and moved.
I looked up the story on his wife. Some drunk had rode a horse into her town, he was armed and she took his gun. Took him to the station, he pulled a derringer and killed her. This was someplace in west virginnia I think. Just remembering.
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:11 AM
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I love taking unmarked cars so I don't get flagged down...
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:14 AM
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Speaking of AMC, I never did traffic in a plain wrapper; however, in my plain clothes investigative days we had unmarked units. I say "unmarked" but not unidentifiable. They were full sized Ford 4 doors and the old full sized AMC 4 door sedans (can't remember their model name) They were solid color (mostly ****** colors that regular customers would never consider), no hub caps, black sidewalls in the days when whitewalls were the thing. Yep, they were unmarked but every BG could spot one six blocks away. Government purchasing logic you know.
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:23 AM
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Found the article I was referring to.
Chief of Police Chloe Francis Stanton, Bradshaw Police Department, West Virginia
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:42 AM
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I got caught by an airplane once. Does that count as unmarked?
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johngalt View Post
Back in Ohio unmarked cars were prohibited by law from making traffic stops. The traffic laws, especially speeding, are sold to the public as being for safety. Running unmarked cars isn't promoting safety, its tax collecting.
Yep. Using unmarked cars, or the trendy markings that are barely visible, or hidden lights to work traffic show that it isn't about safety or deterrence, but revenue.
If it was about deterrence, they would still use the old high profile light bars and easily recognizable paint schemes.
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Old 03-09-2013, 12:57 AM
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I got my muffler riped out getting in a parking lot on Ft Lauderdale Beach one time. When I left my car was a little loud.

I was cool and took off to go home with two friends passed out in it. I got to the 17st. bridge and had this car riding on my rear so I gassed it (extra loud) to make matters worse I gave him a hand signal that wasn't taught in drivers ed. Then I found out there were lights on top of his car.

Damn.

I pulled over and jumped out and begged forgiveness as I tried to explain my misfortunes in the parking lot and that he was so far up my non functioning tail pipe that I couldn't help but be annoyed.

He laughed and ran my plates. then he told me not to go home down 84 because the next towns cops were running a speed zone.

These days it all looks like the same town.
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:02 AM
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Sadly we dont really have unmarked cars around here. The ones I have seen almost always have yellow tags on them. They don't have the yellow tag they are all white with a Sheriff badge decal in the back window. They both always have illegal tint on all 4 windows.

The only truly unmarked car I have seen pull people over was a Honda Civic SI on Interstate. I have no earthly idea where it came from I hadn't seen it since. This thing was completely tricked out custom. My guess is its something they use for parades are something and decided to pick off some speeders. In case people are wondering what I am talking about here a example



I wish me and my friend would have snagged a photo of the car that day but we where to dumb founded.
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:06 AM
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I'd have more fun if I was in an unmarked truck

WSP uses un-marked units for a variety of purposes: commercial guys, supervisors and speed enforcement
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:07 AM
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I drove a city bus professionally for 27 years, I think riding motorcycles made me a better driver. The one thing I learned that I feel is the best to pass on to any new driver is (1) You have to pay attention. If you pay attention to what you are doing and follow the general rules you should not have any problems with the law. The unmarked cars are there to catch people in the act of being careless, not paying attention. Had there been a cop parked at the four way stop everyone would come to a complete stop and follow the rules of right of way. If the car is unmarked people will not be paying attention to the job at hand and get sloppy, either doing the California Stop thing or pulling out in front of someone that had the right of way. It all boils down to Rule No. 1
Of course everyone gets upset when they get snookered by the unmarked sneaky *******, but I'll bet they'll be paying attention the next time. Point made thank you officer...
In this town there are people upset with the Photo Red cameras, Hell...the camera don't lie...theres a damn good reason they want you to come to a complete stop before making your free right hand turn, how many of you have the seen the guy gun the motor and run a busy intersection just as it was flashing from orange to red...thats the son of a gun that nails you when your making your free right hand turn, he'll be coming from your off side at a high rate of speed and guess what...He thinks he's doing the right thing. I saw that stuff so much I still have trouble making a free right hand turn in a busy intersection, go ahead and honk your horn behind me, I've been there...I'm the guy hoping the unmarked car is parked to catch a red light violator, I like the cameras too. I ain't saying I'm perfect, I've got a little hot rod '51 Ford and I like to make a little noise from time to time but when it comes to paying attention to what your doing, I'm all about that.

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Old 03-09-2013, 01:14 AM
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I believe the police need better cars. A skateboard will out run the Crown Vic. The new Ford Intercepter is still way to heavy to handle a corner. The unmarked cars are still easy to spot because of the wheels, hub caps, antena, and lights. The police need cars that blend in like a Toyota Camery or a mini van. I find it interesting that day after day the local police are there in our school zone in plain site, lights flashing, and people still speed in the school zone. I do not get it.
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:28 AM
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Back in the ealy 60's I had a 57 chev 327 souped, 4 on the floor and glass packs. My brother was a part time city cop, and once I had to borrow his pickup. He went through town about 40 mph in 2ed gear while i was gone. returned his pickup and headed home. needless to say I was immeadealty apprehended for all kinds of vilations, took a lot of talking before big brother saved my ***. He thought it was funny till the day he died.
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:36 AM
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The local small city where I am a reserve police officer has 2 unmarked police trucks (they do have a small oval "Police" emblem on the doors)
equipped with all of the necessary blue lights -- it is much easier to creep up on illegal activity or maintain surveillance without being immediately identified as a police unit.

It is devastingly effective on the interstate (the city fronts 6 miles of I-10) -- no one seems to notice or care about a pickup truck parked on the shoulder of the interstate -- we don't bother to pull anyone over unless they are going 82 mph or over (speed limit is 70) -- any evening or weekend, in a 4 hour stretch, for example, we will easily stop 16-20
folks going in the high 80's or low 90's -- they just zip up to and past us and we get a radar lock, activate our lights and make the stop -- most are very surprised to be stopped by a police truck. We often put a dog crate in the truck bed (lots of folks in this area have hunting dogs and lots of folks have dog crates in their truck beds -- I always have one in the back of my personal truck) -- it completes the "it's just a normal pickup truck in south Louisiana" look and adds to folks just ignoring us as they speed by. Funny thing, when we stop folks who have illicit drugs on board, we have figured out that they automatically
assume we have a drug dog in the back of the truck (we don't) so they often "come clean" immediately when we ask if they have any illegal drugs in their vehicle.
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:50 AM
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Further, a good many civilians will not stop for an unmarked car.
And when the police car is directly behind you with the overheads and spot lights activated and shining in your rearview mirror (especially at night), you're supposed to be able to tell it's a "marked" car as opposed to unmarked, how, exactly?
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:55 AM
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Best unmarked car I've ever seen was an old, faded gold Pontiac Tempest station wagon that the Florida SP used on I-295. I only ever saw it on the westside of Jacksonville but you wouldn't ever forget it when you saw them stop somebody. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office had a little trick they used with a Ford SUV that I would see on the way to work. They would park it in the emergency lane with the hood up just past an overpass so it looked like a broken down vehicle. Sitting right in front of the SUV would be a marked car and by the time you saw him, you were toast.

Steve mentioned passing a police car while others were slowing down for him. I had a one of a kind paint job on a 1973 RoadRunner with a VERY high performance 440 in it. Every Trooper and JSO in Jacksonville knew that car. Since I had work done on the transmission and changed tire size, I took it to the same place that certified the FSP's speedometers and had mine certified. Going out I-10 one day where the speed limit was 50, a line of cars were backed up behind a FSP doing 45 and no one would pass him thinking he was doing the speed limit I guess. I just cruised right on past him at 50 mph knowing that I was dead on the speed limit. He looked over at me as I went by and just grinned.

CW
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Old 03-09-2013, 02:00 AM
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I never understood why traffic cops needed to use "tricks" on an expressway. Seemed to me I could always get more tickets than I needed or wanted by just driving around doing my best to not pay attention.
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Old 03-09-2013, 02:06 AM
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No, what amazes me is when cops use tricks like waiting at the top or bottom of a hill to catch speeders.

They know that some of us with a little sense try to gain some momentum going uphill and try not to stay on the brakes too long going down hill!
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Old 03-09-2013, 07:52 AM
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Ms. tork'd had a problem with being "on Time" to social events when we first married.
one evening i complained and complained about being late to the point of getting her all worked up and just about to kick me. she is hustling along as i tell her the speed limit, further adding to the situation.
she is about to move over to pass an unmarked as i am telling her to slow down for the police car. ofcourse she tells me i know nothing. as she passes the officer, i shug may shoulders and he shakes his head.
pulls her over and asks her "didn't he warn you i was there?"
she just handed him her paper work and sat there giving me the stink eye.
she got a warning, i got the couch.
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Old 03-09-2013, 08:14 AM
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I have no problem with the State Police having unmarked cars.

Not real fond of the small town police using unmarked vehicles though. Some of the part time small town officers get to be really sneaky pests in their stealth cruisers. One local cop loves to tailgate people with his high beams on. When they get pissed and nail the brakes, he hits the lights. He doesn't do it to write traffic offenses, he uses the stop to pad his DUI and drug arrests. Another trick he uses- sit on the main street and when a car passes by yelp the siren, If the driver crosses the center line he pulls out and does a stop for crossing the center line which lets him snoop the driver and car.
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Old 03-09-2013, 09:48 AM
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Best unmarked car I ever saw was a John Deere tractor at hay bailing time. Trooper just sat on the tractor in a hay field along side the interstate with a radar gun and a radio. The Trooper a mile up the interstate would make the stop. That was in the late 60's when I-65 to Montgomery was more of a racecourse.
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Old 03-09-2013, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by bishopm14 View Post
Yep. Using unmarked cars, or the trendy markings that are barely visible, or hidden lights to work traffic show that it isn't about safety or deterrence, but revenue.
If it was about deterrence, they would still use the old high profile light bars and easily recognizable paint schemes.
Well, our office gets $35 per ticket so I'm good with that
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Old 03-09-2013, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by s1mp13m4n View Post
I believe the police need better cars. A skateboard will out run the Crown Vic. The new Ford Intercepter is still way to heavy to handle a corner. The unmarked cars are still easy to spot because of the wheels, hub caps, antena, and lights. The police need cars that blend in like a Toyota Camery or a mini van. I find it interesting that day after day the local police are there in our school zone in plain site, lights flashing, and people still speed in the school zone. I do not get it.
These days a bad guy might very well be able to outrun a police crusier, but it's hard to outrun a Motorola radio.
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Old 03-09-2013, 11:18 AM
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The problem with unmarked police cars is that it makes it easier for a non-police officer to impersonate a real police officer. Uniforms are not that difficult to get, but marked police cars are.
Further, a good many civilians will not stop for an unmarked car.
Not really hard to get a marked car. All one needs is some fancy looking leters or if you are careful enough just some colorful ductape. But the easiest way of all is just to buy a used WHITE police car that wasnt cleaned properly. That glue from the decals gets dirty and black on a white car. From 2 feet away looks official








All that is just glue and paint discoloration

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Old 03-09-2013, 11:36 AM
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LEO's drive unmarked cars for the same 2 reason dogs lick themselves...

Because, they can and it feels good.

Wells, right thar ya go!

From The Moon Dawg himself!!!



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Old 03-09-2013, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by MOONDAWG View Post
LEO's drive unmarked cars for the same 2 reason dogs lick themselves...

Because, they can and it feels good.
And because ya blend in , ya don't have to worry about some bothersome civillian in need seeing ya and flagging ya down for assistance.

And with the windows rolled up and A/C or heat on full tilt ya don't hear the gunshots or citizens yelling for help!
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COL Jagdog View Post
The local small city where I am a reserve police officer has 2 unmarked police trucks (they do have a small oval "Police" emblem on the doors)
equipped with all of the necessary blue lights -- it is much easier to creep up on illegal activity or maintain surveillance without being immediately identified as a police unit.

It is devastingly effective on the interstate (the city fronts 6 miles of I-10) -- no one seems to notice or care about a pickup truck parked on the shoulder of the interstate -- we don't bother to pull anyone over unless they are going 82 mph or over (speed limit is 70) -- any evening or weekend, in a 4 hour stretch, for example, we will easily stop 16-20
folks going in the high 80's or low 90's -- they just zip up to and past us and we get a radar lock, activate our lights and make the stop -- most are very surprised to be stopped by a police truck. We often put a dog crate in the truck bed (lots of folks in this area have hunting dogs and lots of folks have dog crates in their truck beds -- I always have one in the back of my personal truck) -- it completes the "it's just a normal pickup truck in south Louisiana" look and adds to folks just ignoring us as they speed by. Funny thing, when we stop folks who have illicit drugs on board, we have figured out that they automatically
assume we have a drug dog in the back of the truck (we don't) so they often "come clean" immediately when we ask if they have any illegal drugs in their vehicle.

Is Sulphur still running their speed trap on I-10 ?
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Old 03-09-2013, 01:29 PM
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Back bout ten years ago, I was working drug interdiction.

We all used discreet vehicles. I had a black Mercury Marauder.

Got a lot of rolling meth labs and dope on traffic stops.

Most times, a marked unit er two around close.


.

Gee A Black Mercury Marauder, now that's a real stealth looking car, No one saw you coming. It is a COP car.

Now a White Mercury Marquis down here would blend nicely.
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Old 03-09-2013, 02:23 PM
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Gee A Black Mercury Marauder, now that's a real stealth looking car, No one saw you coming. It is a COP car.

Now a White Mercury Marquis down here would blend nicely.

Rule,

She weren't all that stealthy with the blues on....

At least not the nite they's shot er all to hell and then ram'd it...

With me hang in thar...Like a hair in a buscuit!

Dave
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