Police cars with whited out/subdued decals

February 28, 2021, 12:26 PM

is just about one of the most chickenshit things in existence. And before anyone asks, no, I didn't get a ticket. But it's infuriating to see these cars in use. A police car should be a visible symbol of law and order. A rolling representation of the forces of good. Not a stealth vehicle set up for...what, ambush operations? It's only useful for traffic enforcement, which is still better served by a standard-decaled vehicle, you know, that people can see and then adjust their driving accordingly. These ninja cars make it easy to pull over ONE car at the expense of a visible impact on ALL cars.

Whomever came up with the idea, whomever signed off on it, whomever ordered the decals, whomever applied the decals, and whomever sends the vehicle out on the road should all be ashamed of themselves. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

February 28, 2021, 01:11 PM

V-Tail

Where was this?

February 28, 2021, 01:19 PM

pedropcola

How’s that song go? Money, money, money......

February 28, 2021, 01:56 PM

chongosuerte

I think they look dumb.

But law and order is old news.

Odds are in your favor.

February 28, 2021, 01:59 PM

P250UA5

quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
Where was this?

We have many of them in the Houston metro area, multiple counties/jurisdictions.

February 28, 2021, 02:17 PM

hudr

Got a few around here also. The decals are still reflective but during the daylight they are very subdued.

February 28, 2021, 02:27 PM

apprentice

Agreed.

February 28, 2021, 02:31 PM

It seems that between radar detectors and Waze, it's pretty hard to catch speeders.

I have mixed feelings about unmarked cars. But must admit I about died laughing a couple weeks ago when I was on I85/I40 from Burlington headed to Raleigh. Speed limit is 65. Many cars traveling ~ 75 in middle lane (3 lanes each way on the highway at that point). Cars in right lane were ~70. Mr. Speedy blows by everyone in the left lane (guessing they are doing 85+). Car in the right lane starts speeding up and finally catches up to Mr. Speedy. In about 3 miles, when it was safe, the lights came on. Unmarked Ford Mustang pulls over Mr Speedy.

February 28, 2021, 02:37 PM

Scooter123

quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
Where was this?

We have them here in Michigan. Black SUV's with Police marked in a very dark gray about 1/4 chade lighter than total black. Lighting is also disguised. The lights are in the grill and top corners of the front and rear windows with semi transparent mirrored triangles hiding the light fixtures. Personally if one of these cars lights me up I'm not going to pull over for it. If a Police station is nearby I will drive to that station. If not then they are going to have to call in for a properly marked squad car. In addition when it goes to Court the Judge is going to get an earful. Might also ask the Judge how to file a complaint for impersonating a police officer against the Cop driving that stealth car.

February 28, 2021, 02:38 PM

Orguss

The only time I care about unmarked/stealth cars is when they're not standard issue patrol cars. There's a guy in an unmarked, light blue Ford Fusion who patrols the highways around here and he's constantly pulling people over.

If you can't look at that Dodge Charger rolling up behind you and immediately think it's a patrol vehicle, that's on you if you're ticketed.

February 28, 2021, 02:49 PM

Skins2881

Wait to you find out about unmarked police cars.

February 28, 2021, 02:49 PM

Johnny 3eagles

Arkansas State Police have at least 1 red Dodge Challenger in stealth mode.

February 28, 2021, 02:54 PM

recoatlift

I always thought they looked like the local body shop laid down ghost flames.

February 28, 2021, 03:04 PM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Arkansas State Police have at least 1 red Dodge Challenger in stealth mode.

ASP has several dozen partially unmarked "low profile" cars. They're marked on the right side only.

From the front/left/rear they look mostly like a regular Charger.

quote:
Originally posted by Scooter123:
Might also ask the Judge how to file a complaint for impersonating a police officer against the Cop driving

Hey, knock yourself out. But you might want to read up on Michigan law first, to avoid getting laughed at...

quote:
Michigan Penal Code 750.215
False representation as peace officer or medical examiner; violation; penalty; “peace officer” defined.
Sec. 215.

(1) An individual who is not a peace officer or a medical examiner shall not do any of the following:
(a) Perform the duties of a peace officer or a medical examiner.
(b) Represent to another person that he or she is a peace officer or a medical examiner for any unlawful purpose.
(c) Represent to another person that he or she is a peace officer or a medical examiner with the intent to compel the person to do or refrain from doing any act against his or her will.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), an individual who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
(3) An individual who, in violation of subsection (1), performs the duties of a peace officer to commit or attempt to commit a crime or represents to another person that he or she is a peace officer to commit or attempt to commit a crime is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(4) A sentence imposed under subsection (3) may be ordered to be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for another violation arising from the same transaction.
(5) As used in this section, "peace officer" means any of the following:
(a) A sheriff or deputy sheriff of a county of this state or another state.
(b) An officer of the police department of a city, village, or township of this state or another state.
(c) A marshall of a city, village, or township.
(d) A constable.
(e) An officer of the Michigan state police.
(f) A conservation officer.
(g) A security employee employed by the state pursuant to section 6c of 1935 PA 59, MCL 28.6c.
(h) A motor carrier officer appointed pursuant to section 6d of 1935 PA 59, MCL 28.6d.
(i) A police officer or public safety officer of a community college, college, or university who is authorized by the governing board of that community college, college, or university to enforce state law and the rules and ordinances of that community college, college, or university.
(j) A park and recreation officer commissioned under section 1606 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.1606.
(k) A state forest officer commissioned under section 83107 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.83107.
(l) A federal law enforcement officer.
(m) An investigator of the state department of attorney general.
(n) A railroad police officer appointed, commissioned, and acting as provided in section 367 of the railroad code of 1993, 1993 PA 354, MCL 462.367.

Basically, that cop is a "peace officer". And a peace officer cannot impersonate a peace officer, because he actually is a peace officer. (I mean, obviously...)

So a cop driving in a patrol car with subdued decals isn't doing anything that's prohibited in the Michigan law against impersonating an officer.

It's one thing to think that it's a shitty practice that you believe should be discontinued. You might find a Judge that agrees with you on that.

It's a whole 'nother thing to bring up trying to pursue bogus charges, especially if you don't have any understanding of what "impersonating a police officer" entails by law.

That's the cool thing about laws... You can look them up for free, and read them, and do research. Nowadays, you don't even have to leave your house or buy a book to do it.

February 28, 2021, 03:19 PM

YooperSigs

When I worked in Ohio, non marked cars could not be used "primarily" for traffic enforcement. From time to time I drove an unmarked car and even stopped people with it. But it was not for traffic enforcement. I have no problem with slick tops, provided they are otherwise fully marked.
Once in Pennsylvania I was stopped by PSP using an unmarked... Mazda. The trooper and I had a chat about that.

February 28, 2021, 03:35 PM

mrapteam666

Durham County Sheriffs Office put one on the road a few months ago.

It has went over with less than enthusiasm but over 50% of the residents want everything for free and it is all about defunding the police. (With the new hug a thug program that was enacted, shootings have went up 25+%.

When I ran traffic and selective enforcement I always ran a fully marked cruiser. Heck, I had a hard enough time not getting hit with a half dozen lights and marking on my vehicle, I cannot imagine if it had ghost decals.

Also, in my experience Officers/Troopers could run a bright pink or green neon vehicle and most people would not pay attention. People are so focused on everything else but driving that catching speeders is no problem.

It has been a while since I worked up near Baltimore but the MD Transportation Authority used to run a variety of unusual vehicles. I am not sure if they still do though