Lights & Sirens when speeding?

[9mmepiphany]

There is no love between CHIP and the Deputies.

That really stretches the bounds of belief. Up here in NorCal we cover each other all the time...it is a matter of mutual respect.

We have a very close relationship with the CHP up here as their Academy is local

[TRICKSTER]

Yeah I'm gonna say no to that one.

In my area the Deputies and Chippies work GREAT together.

Same here in the SF Bay Area. On graveyard shift we would all meet up for Code 7.

[SVT-40]

Databyter here is the O/P's original post.. I'll directly answer his questions without regard to your personal opinions.

Aren't police supposed to have their lights and sirens on when they go over the speed limit?

Not always. A LEO can violate the vehicle code if needed to do his job, as long as it's reasonable and done with due regard for the safety of his fellow citizens.

Cops often shoot through my neighborhood super fast without either lights or sirens and it seems like an accident waiting to happen. I'm sure they know what they're doing, but some knucklehead is bound to stroll in front of their car while they're doing that and get squished, and that's bound to trigger a lot of paperwork.

Do you live on a street which is used as a common artery to get to other parts of the city? If so that could be the explanation as to why LEO's are using your street. As far as their speed, what is the speed limit on your street, and how far above the limit do you estimate the cops are going?

If the speed bothers you or you thinks it's unsafe give the watch commander a call and discuss your concerns with him or her.

Anytime a LEO is driving and has an accident it does trigger tons of paperwork. If the officer is at fault it usually will trigger some form of discipline. The discipline can be a simple written reprimand or based on the severity of the accident and the officers history of similar issues could be as great as termination.

Responding safely and quickly to each and every call should be a priority. It does no one any good if you crash for whatever reason when responding to a call.

That being said I honestly did not realize that this was the LEO forum as I just originally hit the topic from the "new posts" button having had insomnia for a few weeks.

It's not that hard to simply read to the far right of each "new thread" the list of what forum it's in....

In addition when you go to the thread, the forum it's in is clearly listed at the top....

This excuse is getting a lot of play recently. More attention to detail and less pontificating is called for.

[SVT-40]

None of that has anything to do with legality. The OP asked about legality, not whether cops break the law every day because it makes more sense and their Capt. says its ok.

And I have done all of those things simultaneously. I was dispatched with computer technology and had to review different private property policies on the way to sometimes unfamiliar areas as I skirted the speed limit to try to catch the bad guys in the act while I operated GPS, Manuals, Maps, and my PDA and talked to my dispatcher and various alarm Companies.

I was pretty damn good at it and did catch some bad guys, and with a lot less safety and support than the PD offers most of you, so I guess I don't need to disappear just yet.

You don't need to remind me of the disrespect that some LE have for private agencies that do similar work.

And speed all you want. It's no skin off my back and I don't have an issue with it.

I speed all the time, and for the same reasons. I am in a hurry and it's important to me.

Databyter, I'm sure you were good at your job. However nothing you wrote in this particular post has anything to do with answering the O/P's question. Your actions related to your employment as a security guard have nothing what so ever to do with the question. Same for your individual driving habits, zero relevance.

[Synergy]

Thanks for your answers. I thought it was a requirement, but it sounds like it depends on the situation. I trust their judgement. I'm glad that they didn't run the sirens every time they blow by my place at night (FD loves to make their presence known for miles), and the full red and blue lights probably aren't necessary, but I think it would be appropriate to have the intermittent yellow lights on just so people know to get out of the way. From inside my apartment, I can tell a police car by the sound of the engine, but a pedestrian or driver that is not paying attention could have a very bad day. Stay safe.

Code 3 is the legal term for emergency driving with lights and sirens... Code 2.5 is speeding with no lights!

As a fireman for 15 years I am sick of sirens. If its late and no traffic I keep the noise down.

[lavgrunt]

I know and have seen LA County Sheriff Deputies being pulled over by Highway Patrol on Hwy-14 north of LA for speeding without lights or sirens on. They even issue tickets which from what I understand are really pricey since they're usually cruising around 90mph when they get tagged.

There is no love between CHIP and the Deputies.

BWWAAHHHAAAA !!!..........I LMAO at this !!!!

This ain't Florida, Bro..........."Law don't go 'round here, savvy ???"

[oldsmoboat]

<--- Not LEO

We had this same discussion with Databyter in another thread. He wouldn't listen there either.

[SVT-40]

I know and have seen LA County Sheriff Deputies being pulled over by Highway Patrol on Hwy-14 north of LA for speeding without lights or sirens on. They even issue tickets which from what I understand are really pricey since they're usually cruising around 90mph when they get tagged.

There is no love between CHIP and the Deputies.

Probably not a traffic stop... In all likelihood the CHP and the Deputy were probably racing each other, and after the race they stopped to check their radars to see which one had the highest top speed...

[Mr310]

This was a unit that TC'd on the Imperial Highway while in responding code 3. The CHP was there and helped out. Even though they were laughing at the deputy, and there were some playful obscenities passed around, there didn't seem to be any underlying resentment.

[oldsmoboat]

Cop car on fire?

[Mr310]

Affirmative. Everyone gave him **** and then we all went on a pursuit for a 417. It was a fun night!

[Databyter]

And what does any of this have to do with answering questions directed to LEOs when you are obviously not one?
That "disrespect that some LE have for private agencies that do similar work" shows the problem. Some security guards THINK that they are the same as LEOs, push the limits of what they are allowed to do and make a big mess that some LEO will have to clean up and may even screw up a good case.
Stick to your job, and you wont have a problem. Rolling to alarm calls while busting speed limits and traffic signals is not your job. I have had to remind a few of your cohorts of that fact and yes, those that did not learn the first time got cited.

I did not say I broke the speed limit while responding. I did not. I simply drove as quickly as I could without the risk of getting a ticket. And I only got pulled over twice in many years, and never did receive a ticket.

And yes SOME security guards may think a lot of things. I was not one of them. I did the job I was hired for. Never had any illusions that I had the job I never wanted.

I rolled in alone in most cases and had to deal with dangerous people alone. And I had to arrest dangerous people alone. Yea, it was different.

The responses do show the prejudice that I had to put up with for years because of the wide variance in training and the low standards that were allowed to exist in various Private Companies. Even the PS Companies that had excellent training and sharp employees still had to wear the baggage of all the others every time the blue lights rolled up. Not to clean up the mess but to serve the public.

If private security disappeared tomorrow you guys would have your hands full believe me. We weren't all space cadets out there, regardless of your disrespect for an honorable and necessary job.

[Databyter]

Databyter, I'm sure you were good at your job. However nothing you wrote in this particular post has anything to do with answering the O/P's question. Your actions related to your employment as a security guard have nothing what so ever to do with the question. Same for your individual driving habits, zero relevance.

On the contrary I pointed out what no one else had to that point. In fact there was a lot of mumbling about how cops can speed without lights on without pointing out that the situations that they can do this in probably do not apply to what he was seeing.

I pointed out that LEGALLY on paper he is correct except for a few exceptions which I and others pointed out.

NOW the OP's question is answered.

And I mentioned the Sec. Guard. thing in passing, you LE types are the one making a big deal about it. What is more important is that like you I had to study the california codes in my FD training, and had to revisit part of that with my Patrol driving training.

But your right none of that is important, it just lends credence to the more important fact that NONE of you had provided the slightest evidence to dispute anything I have said.

[Databyter]

<--- Not LEO

We had this same discussion with Databyter in another thread. He wouldn't listen there either.

I listened. There was no law ever quoted on that thread to dispute my correct statements.

Further I have not visited that post in some time, but the point was conceded to me last I checked.

What I am saying is no different than what I have seen some LE here post.

They can speed if there is a reason to do so.

Tthis will mean the use of lights under the code (whether they use them or not).

There are a few exceptions to the use of lights, but they are rare with the exception of pacing, which happens a lot. but which requires the presence of the car to pace so it doesn't fly for the city cop speeding faster than every other car in sight without lights.

It's common for cops to do a quiet and dark approach after several minutes of speeding, but they will have to do this within the speed limit to be within the law.

If I am wrong. Show me the code.

p.s. I am only still here because I am addressing personal references to me and unfair statements. If you want me to go, be right and be polite and don't quote me and then twist my statements.

Personally, I hope the LE does whatever they think is necessary in the situation they are in and I am happy for them that they do not have liberal trigger happy DA's calling them on nonsense. But when the priveledges of the untouchables are abused and become dangerous, such as reckless driving, there are laws that apply.

[BigDogatPlay]

Same here in the SF Bay Area. On graveyard shift we would all meet up for Code 7.

+1.

The occasional summertime "y'all come" BBQ from 0300 to 0500 where every on duty LEO in the county who can make it has an invite is always well attended and a great way to network. Not saying I ever participated in one (ahem... cough, cough), I'm just saying.

Are there some counties where there is friction with the local CHP office... sure. I find it's usually the brass that has problems with each other. Those who are out doing the work have each other's back without question.