Used Police Car Information...

[Rex Maxwell]

For several years, I have been planning a road trip with a bunch of friends. I have decided to buy a late model used P71 Police Interceptor for the journey. I know all of the rules regarding the ownership of a used police vehicle as far as the exterior of the vehicle...My question for you LEOs out there are:

1. Is it legal to have the center console with the laptop as long as the laptop is only used as a GPS navigation system?

2. How often would I get pulled over?

3. If I do get pulled over, what is the likelihood that I will be accused of impersonation an officer?

Thank you LEOs out there for any information you can give me.

Rex Maxwell
Florida, USA

[spitfire]

Why do you want a Police Inteceptor for the road trip?

[spitfire]

Actually, why do you want a Police Inteceptor at all?

[Rex Maxwell]

I've worked on them before, and know them very well. I like them for their reliability. I know the caprice was better, but I know the Ford better. I'd like to think of a P71 as a heavy duty civilian Crown Victoria. Keep in mind...I'm not a police officer, so I won't be treating it like the police officers do from where I used to live.

[mcsap]

You must like them for something besides the gas mileage.

Laptops are not illegal in my state nad neither are GPS screens but video screens within view of the driver are illegal.

How many times you get pulled over is entirely up to you.

Simply driving an old police car is not going to get you pulled over, it is what you DO with it that could get you stopped.

[Rex Maxwell]

Yes...the gas mileage is crappy, but not that bad.

I've checked my local laws, and they say it's OK to have a video screen in view of the driver ONLY if it's a GPS navigation system. I guess my question was if the size of a laptop screen is illegal. I just wanted feedback from various LEOs from around the country.

As far as getting pulled over and/or being accused of impersonating an officer...I do plan on obeying all traffic laws during the trip, not trying to look like you guys, either. But whenever I see a Crown Vic driving next to me with a big laptop screen facing the driver, I assume he/she is a police officer. Would other cops think I'm trying to impersonate them if I too, had a similar setup?

[spitfire]

Would other cops think I'm trying to impersonate them if I too, had a similar setup?

I might just be cynical, but it sounds like you want people to think you are a cop.

And you keep mentioning this trip in reference to this interceptor. I would think if you are looking to invest in a car, it wouldn't be all about a trip.

[Rex Maxwell]

No, that's not it. I'm on a bit of a budget...so a $800 laptop that can swing out of my view and play DVDs for my passenger would be much cheaper than a $2000 GPS system for the car and a $650 portable DVD player. And yes, it is about the car. I need a car that is cheap, reliable, and large enough to hold all of the stuff I buy throughout the 24 state trip. A Used police car seems like a good idea to me. I can;t think of a car that fits those criteria, and gets the gas mileage that it does. Sure, it may be crappy gas mileage, but it beats the hell out of an SUV. I just want to know if I'd be getting aby heat from police with my setup. I'm not trying to trick anyone into thinking I'm a cop. I know the hardcore penalties...sorry, I don't want to go to jail 2,000 miles from my home. If you guys can give me a better idea for a car, please do. I thank you guys for the quick replies.

[mcsap]

Police cars havbe many more "miles" on them than the same civilian Crown Vic. Our cars idle and ilde for hours and hours which never shows up on the odometer. Maybe you'll find a Vic with 80,000 on it but it will have twice that much time on the engine. Police cars are used HARD. Hard starts, Hard stops, etc. A good maintenance program is GOOD but there must be a reason we get rid of 2, 3 and 4 yr old cars ??!!

These cars are sold off cheap for a reason. Do you want to be 2,000 miles from home when the trans or the rear end goes out to lunch on you ?

If you feel this car works for you, fine. Don't think for one second that that former cruiser wasn't subjected to SEVERE use though.

[spitfire]

There are PLENTY of used vehicles that are cheap, reliable, and large enough to hold a lot of stuff, PLUS they get much better mileage, which I would think would be of the utmost importance on a long distant trip.

I just think it's a bit of a coincidence that you are buying a police car AND a laptop that you plan on putting in the middle console area, just like the po po.

But, I may be way off. If I am, sorry.

[Nuklhed]

Police cars havbe many more "miles" on them than the same civilian Crown Vic. Our cars idle and ilde for hours and hours which never shows up on the odometer. Maybe you'll find a Vic with 80,000 on it but it will have twice that much time on the engine. Police cars are used HARD. Hard starts, Hard stops, etc. A good maintenance program is GOOD but there must be a reason we get rid of 2, 3 and 4 yr old cars ??!!

These cars are sold off cheap for a reason. Do you want to be 2,000 miles from home when the trans or the rear end goes out to lunch on you ?

If you feel this car works for you, fine. Don't think for one second that that former cruiser wasn't subjected to SEVERE use though.

Exactly what he said. They are ridden very very hard. You were saying that a GPS is ok, but you are not using a GPS navigation system, you are using a laptop. You also stated you are going to hit 24 states. I am positive one of those states have a law about the computer in view. The same goes for those fancy radios with the screen that pops out and folds up. Here in California, you can not have a screen in view of the driver, period. Good luck saying it is a GPS system.

[Rex Maxwell]

No...I understand. If I were a cop, I'd be thinking the same thing about some punk that wants his car to be set up the same. I agree that it's a coincidence, but if you look at the setup in a police car, it's perfect. You have all of the equipment you need right at your fingertips. I agree that you guys idle the hell out of them, I've seen my local police do it! I'm merely trying to find a good vehicle for this trip. I would prefer a rear wheel drive one. It really doesn't matter which car I buy...it's still going to get a console for my CB and all that crap. You guys bring up good points, though.

I really don't want to come off as a police impersonator. I just can't think of a vehicle that fits my criteria better than a Vic.

[mcsap]

I don't know of any car on the road that doesn't have all of it's controls at the drivers fingertips but you are are free to buy what you want. Be sure of one thing, you will attract the attention of the police wherever you go. I always scope out former cruisers, run the tags etc.

[Nuklhed]

Hey I am sure that your buddies will be all excited to sit in the back seat of "The Vic." I know our department didnt put in the molded plastic seats until very recently. We still had the cushion vinyl. It made it real easy to wipe the feces and urine up. Make sure your buddies bring some wet wipes. ;-)

[mcsap]

I would have such a car profesionally cleaned before I would allow any family or friends to ride in the back. Some seriously filthy people have been back there including bleeding ones.