question from writer

[EileenWilks]

Hello. Another writer told me about your forum, and it sounded like a chance to avoid embarassing myself in print. Maybe. If I can ask the right questions.

Here's the setup: I'm writing a romanctic suspense (TEMPTING DANGER, out this October; feel free to buy a copy and laugh at my mistakes, or better--email me so I can correct them in the next book) with a cop heroine, a homicide detective. She's on police business but in someone else's car when there's an emergency. She needs to get somewhere fast. So--revealing my ignorance here--I wondered about those detachable flashing lights I've seen used on cop shows. The detective puts it on his unmarked car so he can go in pursuit.

I need to know:
1. Do they exist? Cop shows aren't always known for their accuracy. <g>
2. What are they called?
3. How do they attach--mega-magnets or something?
4. Would she use one on a civilian car if the need was great?

Thanks for any help--

Eileen Wilks

[gabe a.]

I know that in Colorado no agency uses them anymore, but they do use a smaller strobe version, some that sit on the dash and can be place there by hand. But as far as I know the old rotory single red light was done away with a long time ago, at least in CO.

[Group9]

Many agencies use the detachable flashing lights in unmarked cars. Most have magnets or some other way of holding the light in place when you need it.

The only problem with your scenario is that the lights usually stay in the cars. The only times I would carry one with me is when my unmarked is out of service and I am going to use a loaner. Since these lights have a bad habit of "walking off", I will take mine with me.

How about just having her just drive like hell without a light? It would probably be more exciting, and although it is against policy to do it in most departments, I bet most guys with some time on the job have done it. I know I have on a couple of occassions.

[Solly]

My 2 cents,
If I understand you correctly, she's driving a friend's car? If I were her, I'd think about the liability issue. If you get in a crash (with or without the strobe light), will the department cover you? Will your friend's vehicle be cover by insurance (I kind of doubt it)? Will the insurance company boost your friend's rate out of sight or just cancel her?
I just tend to think of this kind of stuff before I do something....not crazy but lets say "implusive." I think most cops have heard horror stories of getting sued for little or next to nothing. This is something I think would cross a cop's mind before they do anything that could have a have a bad impact on their career later on.
But then again, it depends on the motivation of getting to where they are going fast.
Good luck on the book.
Solly

[Switchback]

The lights that attach via suction cups at the shade section of the windshield are very cool too. We have some of them in are g-rides.... very discreet and rather bright (considering their size).

[CPDexplorer]

Are you talking about these? (click on the link)

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...=DL080&cat=235

Here is a strobe light version, they are much more intense. They mount just under or next to the rear view mirror.

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...=DL121&cat=264

I hope that these help! Good luck on the book.

[sparrow803]

LOL Kojak lights

[CPDexplorer]

Yeah, exactly. (although that shows a little before my time, I'm a sophomore in HS! :D)

I don't know of any departments that still use the halogen ones though, correct me if I'm wrong.

[99TAC]

Ok, here's some things to think about. Why is she taking a light with her in a friends car? If you are a homicide detective then why do you need to respond with a light, aren't they already dead? Also, when someone (police/fire/EMS) uses a light in their personal vehicle, at least in PA, they must register their vehicle to the DMV with a signed note from their cheif. Therefore, your character's friend's car would have to be registered to use a light. Like others said there's the liability issue. Can you tell us the circumstances for why they would be going so fast.

[P01IC3M4N]

i think i'd forego the light and just haul ***. you can get somewhere much faster without flashy lights.

i don't know of anyone who'd carry around a big red light. that just screams daytime rerun.

[mcsap]

Homicide det's are RARELY if ever the first to respond to such a crime scene. The uniformed patrols are first in as they are out on patrol.

The patrols typically would have the scene already taped off 'til the det's arrive so there is really no reason for them to make an emergency run.

I can see them wanting to get there quicker then normal though.

I have a dash light in one of the unmarked cars I drive which is held in place with velcro.

Magnetic "kojack" lights have powerful magnets. They can and will scratch paint if just stuck on like they sometimes show on TV. Starsky and Hutch comes to mind.

[sgtbear111]

Kojack lights here too. Unnecessary fast driving in an unmarked car is more dangerous and pursuits are a no-no, usually a policy violation. Private vehicle - it's also called reckless driving and/or unauthorized emergency vehicle. TV cop behavior in the real world is bad, a liability. Traffic doesnt magically open the path for even the marked vehicle running code. Inattention - when they see the lights, the reaction is sudden and unpredictable. The driver of an emergency vehicle running code is still responsible for their driving. Get in a wreck while running code - hard way to find out.

Detectives will get there later. Patrol secures the scene and locates the people involved, arrests are made as necessary. A patrol team will have a lot of the work started before the detectives arrive. Kojack light was a visual distraction while driving, OK when arriving, used to go slowly around/thru traffic and get perimeter security to open the barriers. On a road still open for traffic, if parked in the road or on shoulder, kojack light went on the roof or rear deck.

Traffic stops with the kojack light in unmarked car? Nope.

[EileenWilks]

Lots of great information and responses--thank you all. FWIW, my detective's in a hurry to save a life, not responding to a dead body call. (Hey, it is fiction. <g>) It sounds as if she might skip the light and just haul ***.

Eileen