Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Well, I heading down a wide road going home last night and don't you know I look in my side mirror and here come three cars at a pretty good clip. I figure one of them will see the deck lights and slow down right? Nope, all three blew past me like I didn't exist. (I drive an old 97' peacock blue crown victoria)

As they say on COPS "the chase is on!" I slip into the passing lane and start my "run" and after about 20 seconds I got my pace going. Yeah folks I do it the old fashioned way it's more fun. Posted limit is 55 and I'm rolling along at 72 and I've matched all three vehicles. On days like this I love my job.

I'm about to take the rear most car as all of us are approaching a traffic light and low and behold the light changes to red. Okay now picture in your mind a dual lane highway both directions with a center turn lane. At the light is another car (no violation) in the right lane; in the left lane is the lead violator; behind the lead car is the second violator. I'm now behind #2 and right next to me is the third violator. I jump out and sprint to the lead car and tell him when the light turns green he is to pull to the shoulder; I do the same with the second and third drivers.

The light turns green and we all move to the shoulder as a group (you had to be there to really appreciate it). As I approach each car I tell the drivers to have their license and registration ready. I stop at the first car who's driver tells me he knows he's speeding and he's sorry. (I give him a break and charge him with 65 in a 55). Driver number 2 hands me a suspended license (she hadn't received notification so I couldn't tow her car, damn) so she receives a notification of the suspension and a ticket for 72 in a 55. Driver number 3 is absolutely a jackass saying I couldn't have gotten a "good pace." Oops wrong thing to say to me and the search is on! After hitting him with the ticket for 72 in a 55, I find he has a cracked windshield (well I was gonna get that fixed) equipment violation ticket. A check thru our local system and guess what he's wanted for failing to appear! Oh I love my job! Off to jail we go and off goes the car to the local wrecker yard (no dope in the car, damn).

I think Darin would be proud of this old man don't you think? Hey Darin, does this qualify me as a traffic nazi? :D

Good catch! :D

Very nice.

You da man!

Nice job. Would have loved to have seen his face when you told him of the FTA. I'm sure it was priceless. :D

You go, bo ey!!! :D

Hey Darin, does this qualify me as a traffic nazi? :

You were almost a true traffic Nazi except for this: ;)

I give him a break and charge him with 65 in a 55.

Good stop(s). Some days I wish I was still working traffic.

In reference to the suspended driver, did you not tow her car due to dept policy or the wishes of the local judge? The reason I ask is because it seems like every judge in VA has a different policy on what constitutes "notification". In Newport News if DMV sent the DC210 that was all that was needed, even if you didn't receive it (this is actually what the law states as well). However, I've worked jurisdictions that required personal notification or a DC225. Then you have some that won't convict even if the driver admits they were suspended. Just curious as why you couldn't tow the car.

In reference to the suspended driver, did you not tow her car due to dept policy or the wishes of the local judge? The reason I ask is because it seems like every judge in VA has a different policy on what constitutes "notification". In Newport News if DMV sent the DC210 that was all that was needed, even if you didn't receive it (this is actually what the law states as well). However, I've worked jurisdictions that required personal notification or a DC225. Then you have some that won't convict even if the driver admits they were suspended. Just curious as why you couldn't tow the car.

I dont charge anymore on the DC210 unless I can get them to admit they knew the were suspended. But I will still tow the car after I give them there notice unless the have a licensed driver in there with them. I figure the tow bill is better than nothing. I love to get the DC210 people to admit they knew it. I always play dumber than they are for a while and they usually tell on thereselves.

Nice triple play!

Not bad for an old timer !!

















I meant the 97 Vic for being able to catch up to them :)

Awesome story. Hell of a job Valycop.

You were almost a true traffic Nazi except for this: ;)




IMO, it can still apply to being a Traffic Nazi, if it is laid out like so, "Well, I am going to cut you a break tonight........" and then still present them with a traffic ticket after they think they're getting a warning. :D

Btw, did the drivers have a relationship w/ one another or was it 3 random people?

CA does have one nice law....if you get caught driving suspended, your car gets towed and stored for 30 days. Then you get to pay a tow fee and 30 days worth of storage to get it out. Good way to get junkers off the road because the storage is worth more than the vehicle.

Of course a lot of these cars get recycled back onto the streets- some loser buys them from the lien sale at the tow yard cheap...then they drive it unregistered because it is too old to pass smog....then it gets towed and stored yet again. :)

In reference to the suspended driver, did you not tow her car due to dept policy or the wishes of the local judge?

Sarge it was kind of a combination of both. We have a firm policy on towing for the obvious "DUI related," but for "Fail to Pay Fines," the judge has no real opinion and our general orders don't address this specific situation and leaves it up to us. She had another licensed driver with her and I gave her a break and allowed the other driver to take over.

It was so much fun tho and I like to prowl that area anyway so there will be more. :D I just like doing it the old fashioned way of the pace because it can be a challenge not to be spotted. Of course having a peacock blue crown vic does help. :)

Nice....

I think Darin would be proud of this old man don't you think? Hey Darin, does this qualify me as a traffic nazi?
Out - freakin - standing!!!!! :D



You sir could teach some Troopers a thing or 2!!!!! :D Great pop Bob!

You were almost a true traffic Nazi except for this: ;)


Good stop(s). Some days I wish I was still working traffic.

In reference to the suspended driver, did you not tow her car due to dept policy or the wishes of the local judge? The reason I ask is because it seems like every judge in VA has a different policy on what constitutes "notification". In Newport News if DMV sent the DC210 that was all that was needed, even if you didn't receive it (this is actually what the law states as well). However, I've worked jurisdictions that required personal notification or a DC225. Then you have some that won't convict even if the driver admits they were suspended. Just curious as why you couldn't tow the car.
In my jurisdiction if they have been notified by DCA10 (law enforcement) or DC225 then they are good to go to charge. If they havent received the DC210 or we can't prove they received it then our judge will toss it. Now if the DC210 has been accepted by addresee then they are good to go. And of course if they admit it then they receive a nice yellow piece of paper.

go valy go! you are, of course, awesome. ;)