Under Cover or Unmarked Cop Cars, Why?

[JOERM]

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.

 

[Vegetaman]

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.

 

[Faulkner]

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.

 

[bobelk99]

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.

 

[rimfired]

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!!!!

 

[labworm]

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.

 

[Fredo Batali]

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

 

[shouldazagged]

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.

 

[lawandorder]

They are only unmarked until you turn this little switch thingy on.

 

[R. G. Amos]

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.

 

[The Big D]

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.

 

[BobC357]

I must say that the Colorado State Patrol stealth cars are extremely high-tech and way cool! So are their motorcycles.

 

[DCWilson]

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.

 

[portejw]

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!

 

[yaktamer]

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.

 

[David LaPell]

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.

 

[LVSteve]

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.

 

[2hawk]

If I was a cop, I suppose I'd like one of these:

Why? The better catch "violators" of course!

 

[The Big D]

...
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.

 

[keith44spl]

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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