Off duty vehicle stops?????

[HK-40]

I have a question . Some officers get to take home unmarked cars (equiped with emmergency lights) for variety of reasons.

IS IT A NORMAL PRACTICE TO DO VEHICLE STOPS WHILE ON THE WAY TO WORK AND NOT IN UNIFORM?


I dont find it a safe practice. Not at all .

Any comments?

[Cpl. Haas]

You've seen the same officer routinely making traffic stops for non-risk violations while not on duty?

[jaysen]

HK-40,

this is one of those answers... it depends? Does the Officer/Detective's department policy dictate otherwise? Does the Policy say they are "on-duty" when they are in the car, etc...?

Are the stops for traffic violations (infractions) or are they for a little more serious offenses (dui, roadrage, etc)?

I've been guilty of doing it in the past, however personally I do not feel comfortable making stops on the freeway in general. The few times I did it, were for VERY legitimate reasons that I could not wait for CHP to respond.

On the flip-side, if I'm driving and someone blows past me... don't care, im sure CHiPpies are hiding somewhere down the road and will pick them off.

[HK-40]

My question is : is it a routine practice for LEO's to try to do traffic stops while driving unmarked cars and out of uniform ? What if a person or people in the vehicle do not know who is trying to pull them over and react in a defensive fashion ? Big mess. Now what? I think its a very bad , unsafe practice.

[Che762x39]

My question is : is it a routine practice for LEO's to try to do traffic stops while driving unmarked cars and out of uniform ? What if a person or people in the vehicle do not know who is trying to pull them over and react in a defensive fashion ? Now what? I think its a very bad , unsafe practice.

For my department it would be out of policy. The exception is if I observe a felony in progress (i.e. robbery). You will then follow safely until the cavalry arrives and let the uniform guys do their job

[Country_Jim]

My question is : is it a routine practice for LEO's to try to do traffic stops while driving unmarked cars and out of uniform ? What if a person or people in the vehicle do not know who is trying to pull them over and react in a defensive fashion ? Big mess. Now what? I think its a very bad , unsafe practice.

Questions like this are loaded questions. The OP has an agenda behind the question. If you tell us the circumstances behind the question you'll probably receive an answer to your question.

I can not answer "what is routine" for law enforcement because department policy dictates an officer's response/actions. My department does not allow off duty traffic stops (there are always exigent circumstances though).

Stay safe

[micro911]

Detectives on duty do it for a reason they know. I have seen it. Usually, they wear a raid jacket that identifies them as an LEO and the plain car is equipped with a red light and siren.

I drove a company car before, and have never done it. I usually call CHP or agency in that jurisdiction. If I ever want to pull over a car, I would contact either CHP or other radio car.

[CBR_rider]

Yeah, it's probably not safe and most likely poor tactics. However, sometimes the LEO might have to take immediate action to protect life/property. I know I wouldn't do it unless the offense I was witnessing was threatening to get someone seriously hurt or killed.

[IlDuche]

When I did plainclothes work we stopped people in unmarkeds while wearing street clothes. You assume he is off duty. Maybe he ain't.

[mixicus]

Are you sure the person was off duty not a plain clothes unit (narc, gang, detective, etc..)?

[TrailerparkTrash]

My question is : is it a routine practice for LEO's to try to do traffic stops while driving unmarked cars and out of uniform ? What if a person or people in the vehicle do not know who is trying to pull them over and react in a defensive fashion ? Big mess. Now what? I think its a very bad , unsafe practice.

What do you care? Worry about something that's more important. How do you know if the guy is "off duty?" How do you know what his "uniform of the day" consists of? Many cops dress in civilian clothing and are considered to be "in uniform."

[scootergmc]

Did someone get pulled over?????

[Jwood562]

OP got pulled over by a plain clothes detective/officer and is ranting...

[bigmike82]

Instead of being defensive about it, perhaps some of you folks may wish to educate the OP about how his perception is false?

Does it really help the public's perception of LEOs to be snippy about questions like this?

[SloChicken]

well, this is the first thing that came to mind when I saw this thread.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/chargers/2008-07-03-foley-settlement_N.htm

Personally, I have no problem with a LEO stepping up and performing his duty - with prudence, of course.
The job may only be when in uniform, but the oath comes home with you.

As far as the Mansker character that shot Foley in the thread above. I think he had an agenda, too much piss and vinegar, and not enough good sense.
Not unexpected for a 23 year old LEO who's father was killed by a drunk driver however.