"Unmarked" cars

[average_joe]

Here's something I've always wondered about:

I see unmarked cars all the time in my town (almost as often as the marked ones), but many of them are really easy to spot--white crown vics with black grille, big heavy bars behind the front seats and the little antenna on the back window. Of course, they also have some everyday looking cars (no idea how many).

The question is, why aren't they all either fully marked, or completely indistinguishable?

[Menace]

Different cars serve different purposes, sometimes it's enough to just take the lightbar off and have dash lights to serve the purpose. Some of the cars, you'll NEVER know are cop cars...

[SeVere]

There are unmarked cars and Covert Cars. Unmarked cars are just that, they are cars without destinguishable markings yelling I am in service from Anytown P.D. or Anycounty Sheriff, or Any State Police.

They are often cars that are Low Profile.

Covert cars are cars that you would never guess are cop cars. Everything from old chevettes to mini-vans to junkers.

[Valor55]

People do the dumbest stuff when I'm in a marked police car. I see ten times as much stupid stuff in an unmarked car. A covert car is like being off duty except instead of saying, "Man! I wish I had my cruiser!" when you see something good you get to hit the lights and do it!

[mcsap]

My gray 2000 Impala is a great unmarked. I throw stuff on the back shelf to enhance the effect.

[scott715us]

The cars you are referring to are usually called "low profile." They could be anything from a plain white crown vic/impala, to a fully marked unit lacking a lightbar

Believe me, if they want to be covert, they can. I have seen undercover agents in taxi cabs, cars with Hunter's Automotive stickers, etc.

Like the others have said, you never know. ;)

[fatboyjim154]

We've got a certain specialist dept who uses a fire brigade van!

[valycop]

Here's something I've always wondered about:

I see unmarked cars all the time in my town (almost as often as the marked ones), but many of them are really easy to spot--white crown vics with black grille, big heavy bars behind the front seats and the little antenna on the back window. Of course, they also have some everyday looking cars (no idea how many).

The question is, why aren't they all either fully marked, or completely indistinguishable?

Hey Joe, look at my avatar do you think at night you're going to be able to spot me as a cop unless I'm right next to you? Of course by then it's too late anyway.
Just like the other guys have said each car marked or otherwise serve different purposes for different agencies. The Virginia State Police for example uses Mustangs and Camaro's for traffic enforcement and they're very effective.
I don't care if you spot me as a cop because the end result would be the same in traffic, you're going to slow down right? The unmarked car has just served it's purpose.

[average_joe]

Is it because people see the lightbar sticking up, and forget how to drive?