Your thoughts?

**SteyrAUG** · 07-17-14, 01:00

I'm certain unmarked / low profile vehicles exist in Europe as well and I know I spot marked units in traffic pretty easy. There are some worrisome aspect of US law enforcement but this really isn't an example of one of them.

**Belmont31R** · 07-17-14, 01:11

Originally Posted by Dead Man

It seems like an answered question, to me. There has been a lot of media attention over the years, and I think it's pretty well established that if you're being pulled over by a low-profile cruiser, you can take steps to protect yourself. Drive to a more public and better lit area to pull over, call dispatch/911 to verify the officer is legitimate, etc. You know low-profile cruisers are out there, you know they're becoming more popular across the country. I don't see how this can be anything other than proverbially kicking rocks around in resent for die Oberherren.

You know your options: get on with your life peacefully, thankful you live in a safe, clean, prosperous society, made so largely by the efforts of those you (resentfully) pay to make it that way; or become an activist and start a legitimate movement to use the political process to effect the change you think is needed. If your vision is accurate, you'll have lots of support.

Or, option 3... bitch on the internet.

I see them as a safety hazard. We saw one attempt to stop an intersection because of a stalled vehicle and there were narrow misses as the officer was trying to stop traffic. They still have a public safety job to do besides trying to blend in. We could see the frustration with this officer but her vehicle was barely marked. We have at least 5 different vehicles being used here in various color schemes. Its a safety hazard not just for stops.

**TriviaMonster** · 07-17-14, 01:25

Anyone seen an unmarked MRAP yet? Nothing to see here...

**Moose-Knuckle** · 07-17-14, 02:34

In our department we have smooth units. Our traffic unit uses these exclusively as they are less noticeable and can blend in with traffic easier. These guys do nothing but traffic all day every day. We do have one smooth unit on at any time for regular patrol operations, per SOP these units are not allowed to pursue anyone that flees due to the fact that it can be fought in court that the car was not marked, i.e. POLICE, etc.

All detectives, SWAT take homes, and NARCs run smooth units.

**ClearedHot** · 07-17-14, 04:21

I definitely think that the F10 BMW 5-series is a better police car than some crappy Dodge.

**Chameleox** · 07-17-14, 08:19

Originally Posted by Moose-Knuckle

In our department we have smooth units. Our traffic unit uses these exclusively as they are less noticeable and can blend in with traffic easier. These guys do nothing but traffic all day every day. We do have one smooth unit on at any time for regular patrol operations, per SOP these units are not allowed to pursue anyone that flees due to the fact that it can be fought in court that the car was not marked, i.e. POLICE, etc.

All detectives, SWAT take homes, and NARCs run smooth units.

Pretty close to what we do as well. We also have a policy that if an unmarked vehicle initiates a pursuit, then a marked unit should take over as the lead car as soon as practical. Pursuits are also closely scrutinized, and pursuits for low level offenses are terminated very quickly.

Not everything is revenue and conspiracy.

**Big A** · 07-17-14, 08:35

So you've never driven behind a marked unit doing the speed limit where everybody in traffic is suddenly the perfect driver and never goes above the posted speed limit? You know the majority of drivers easily do 10+mph over the speed limit when there is no traffic, however they are gonna drive like perfect little angels when there is a marked cop car there. (I'm not claiming to be a saint as I speed too. I just don't drive like a jackass like most folks around here)

The unmarked units for my SO have more lights in them than our marked units. When they light you up there is no mistaking that they are a cop. No criminal could afford that many high quality lights for their jalopy. They put Disney's Electric Light Parade to shame.

We also have dedicated traffic enforcement units that are slick topped and have no markings on the back or cage in the car. The only way to tell they are a police car from behind is to look for the lock cylinder on the trunk. Regular Impalas don't have them, only the police package ones. These units still have the regular side graphics and push bar but from behind you can't tell unless you know what to look for.

**markm** · 07-17-14, 09:50

Originally Posted by Big A

So you've never driven behind a marked unit doing the speed limit where everybody in traffic is suddenly the perfect driver and never goes above the posted speed limit?

I used to LOVE driving a marked unit on our Loop 101 in Scottdale, AZ. That is the Autobahn of AZ. Every prick fukk in his overpriced Eurotrash sedan all the sudden became a Saint.

**Safetyhit** · 07-17-14, 10:17

Originally Posted by markm

I used to LOVE driving a marked unit on our Loop 101 in Scottdale, AZ. That is the Autobahn of AZ. Every prick fukk in his overpriced Eurotrash sedan all the sudden became a Saint.

You...you...umm...were a police officer?