Police and jumper cables?

[parishioner]

So, I just got back from a CVS and have a question for the LEOs. I walked out of the store to find my car battery had died. Parked next to me was a city police car, so I sort of thought in my head that police help people so maybe he could give me a quick jump once he comes out. Not too long later he walks out, but he is escorting a young lady out (much younger than him) and appeared to be an employee. She wasn't in handcuffs and when she got to the car she said "I don't want to sit in the back. Thats where the dirty people sit." So the officer goes to the front seat, cleans it out, and brings a bag to the trunk to make room for her.

So in the midst of him doing this I asked him if he wouldn't mind giving me a quick jump. I already had my cables out and my hood popped. He told me no, he couldn't do it because he had too many computers in the car. That seemed odd to me at first but eventually thought it could be logical. Then, with the girl in the front seat, he backed up, drove forward about 40ft (still in parking lot), stopped for about 30 seconds, the girl got out of the car, walked back inside CVS and the officer drove off. :confused:

So anyway, is it true police can't give a jump due to the electrical equipment inside the vehicle? This may very well be true and I actually sort of expected him to say no due to some unknown to me legal implication or officer safety issue but considering what just happened, it made me feel like he could have just told me that so he could do whatever he was doing with that girl.

[tusk212]

That is what I was told. Thats why we have those jumper boxes or whatever they are called.

[woodandsteel]

We are not allowed to jump cars because of all the sensitive equipment in them, now.

But, before we had computers and digital radios we were still not allowed to jump start cars. The reason back then was liability. It is the same reason why we don't help unlock car doors.

[parishioner]

Gotcha. I figured there was some issue with it.

Thanks.

[Oscar 319]

I do it all the time, with cables I bought for that exact reason. My shit has never blown up :p

Our car's batteries are always running dead too, with all the junk hooked up to it.

Granted, if I am on a detail I can't. I find it's a great way to make positive contacts with citizens. I am also the goober that will stop and help elderly folks brush snow off thier car in the winter time.

Why not?

[pilotguyo540]

A common problem with jumping vehicles is when someone removes both cables from either car. This can create a voltage spike large enough to physically damage the control modules solid state circuitry. The failure of the components usually occurs .a couple of weeks later. The details are not worth mentioning here. Many police cars have the grey SB connectors for jumping. These allow for a CLEAN break of the jump circuit.

In short, the officer is correct. Sorry man, I do hate when that happens.

[orionz06]

A common problem with jumping vehicles is when someone removes both cables from either car. This can create a voltage spike large enough to physically damage the control modules solid state circuitry. The failure of the components usually occurs .a couple of weeks later. The details are not worth mentioning here. Many police cars have the grey SB connectors for jumping. These allow for a CLEAN break of the jump circuit.

In short, the officer is correct. Sorry man, I do hate when that happens.

This is more common than you would think too.

[CarlosDJackal]

The agency I used to belong to carried battery boxes for this reason. We do not jump directly from our car batteries for liability (in case we end up damaging the vehicle we're jumping) and to prevent damage to our radio equipment and conputers.

[Irish]

I find it's a great way to make positive contacts with citizens. I am also the goober that will stop and help elderly folks brush snow off thier car in the winter time.

Thanks for the smile and for your service to your community. I can honestly say through interactions like that you've probably done a huge favor to your profession and how those people view police officers. Not to mention how many people they tell about the nice officer who helped them in a time of need.

[ras61541]

We are actually issued jumper cables and use them all the time... half the time on our own cars because all of the equipment in them drains the battery. That being said I have seen (on two different occasions) someone put one end of the jumper cables on backwards and blow the electrical in both cars.

[bkb0000]

do none of you LEOs have integral jump cables in your interceptors?? Portland area PSOs all have 'em.. flip a little door, out comes cables already hooked up and ready to go. maybe it was a custom order specifically for PPS

and yea, "computers and stuff" is a load of crap. whatever their reason for not wanting to jump citizens, that's total BS. the alternator surges current every time the vehicle RPM changes- you think the car can't handle the tiny little surges and draws from jumping a car battery?

[cobra90gt]

Believe it or not, a lot of times the "no jumping" clause can be attributed to policy/admin because of the aforementioned liabilities (voltage spikes damaging sensitive electrical equipment).

Thank them for those "great" SOPs. :D


There are some newer "smart" technology jumper cables out there on the market though (ones that help prevent such damage to electrical equipment).


YMMV

[Cascades236]

No jumping for us either.

[Jscrilla21]

We are actually issued jumper cables and use them all the time... half the time on our own cars because all of the equipment in them drains the battery. That being said I have seen (on two different occasions) someone put one end of the jumper cables on backwards and blow the electrical in both cars.

I am constantly helping my friends jump there police cars when they die and so far they still both work fine.

[CoryCop25]

I am a police officer and I also had my own business installing police equipment in police vehicles. The main issue is that the mobile radio is wired direct to the battery for noise cancellation and power draw when transmitting. When jump starting a vehicle, you can touch the two cables together and even if it's for a split second, you can spike the system (ground) and short out the mobile radio. There is very sensitive equipment inside the main unit of a mobile radio. I used to install a circuit breaker with a disable switch on it near the battery so you can disconnect the radio from the battery and jump start a vehicle. Now, with the new LED light bars, those circuit breakers are not needed because the current draw is much less. We also carry a battery buddy in the trunk and that is what we use to jump start stranded motorists.

[lewis]

We are not allowed to jump start or change tires.

The no jumping is to protect the equipment in our cars. The no tire changing is because of liability issues should the tire come off. We are also not allowed to do unlocks unless there is a child or animal in the car that is in danger. Both the tire rule and the unlock rule came about due to people wanting the city to pay for supposed damage to their cars, caused by the officer. In other words, some jerks have made it so we can't help people.

[BobM]

The AM/FM radio was damaged when I jumped my Charger with another cruiser. It still worked but the display wouldn't come on.
We very rarely jump start cars other than our own when necessary; and we use the box whenever possible. For years we've been told the radio equipment could be damaged.

[FL2011]

I guess there's always the possibility of someone hooking up a cable wrong and some departments just wanting to avoid any liability.

But, while I'm not LEO, I've had quite a bit of sensitive electronic equipment installed over the years and have never had a problem with jumping provided it was done correctly and the equipment was wired correctly. Have had amateur radio units in cars, various aftermarket stereo/amps, and currently run a full windows based PC (using mini-atx board) with an LCD for mobile navi and music.

If I haven't fried an actual computer hooked to the battery then I think it's pretty safe. And everything is properly wired to battery using fuses on both positive and negative leads and using the appropriate regulators, etc.

[Oscar 319]

Thanks for the smile and for your service to your community. I can honestly say through interactions like that you've probably done a huge favor to your profession and how those people view police officers. Not to mention how many people they tell about the nice officer who helped them in a time of need.

Thank you.

[Mac5.56]

I do it all the time, with cables I bought for that exact reason. My shit has never blown up :p

Our car's batteries are always running dead too, with all the junk hooked up to it.

Granted, if I am on a detail I can't. I find it's a great way to make positive contacts with citizens. I am also the goober that will stop and help elderly folks brush snow off thier car in the winter time.

Why not?

I second what IrishLuck said. Thank you!

[brianc3]

We don't do it my current agency. My old job used to have one of the boxes AND used to make people sign a damage liability waiver!

[ST911]

Agencies I've worked for are also prohibited from jump starting cars, for the reasons listed. My employer does equip each patrol car with the starter pack to assist motorists. Helping with lock-outs, beyond calling a locksmith or breaking glass, is also prohibited because of damage claims. We can still help change tires and are encouraged to do so. Cars have a hydraulic jack in them and a big 4 way wrench. I suspect that this will also go away when someone files a claim of damage, or when an employee makes a back injury claim.

Unfortunate, as assisting motorists in these ways is great PR and produces a lot of atta-boys for employees.

[dbrowne1]

I'm not a cop but I have a "no jumping" policy as well, having fried a $700 engine control computer on a previous car when I decided to be nice and help somebody.

Not making that mistake again and will be glad to explain it to anyone who is sour about my refusal to jump them off my battery. Maybe I did something "wrong" that time that could be avoided, but I don't know what that is and my ECM is not going to be a guinea pig again.

[Killjoy]

The no jumping is to protect the equipment in our cars. The no tire changing is because of liability issues should the tire come off. We are also not allowed to do unlocks unless there is a child or animal in the car that is in danger. Both the tire rule and the unlock rule came about due to people wanting the city to pay for supposed damage to their cars, caused by the officer. In other words, some jerks have made it so we can't help people.

Same policy in my department. Occasionally, I ignore it and help people out, but I could get my ass in a sling for doing it.

[skyugo]

huh.. i saw a colorado state patrol guy putting a tire iron back in his trunk, i assume he changed the person's tire for them. thought that was a nice gesture. i could see it being an issue though...