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.

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

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.