With and without lights

[spikel]

If a cop has their lights off then are they still allowed to break the state and federal laws? Also is a town cop have the jurisdiction to pull over a person on an interstate highway?

[Switchback]

Not federal... then again, I really don't know any federal traffic laws. Whether a local can pull someone over on a freeway depends on whether the highway goes through their jurisdiction, as well as any MOUs between the varisou agencies.

[mobrien316]

If a cop has their lights off then are they still allowed to break the state and federal laws? Also is a town cop have the jurisdiction to pull over a person on an interstate highway?

Cops don’t break the law. When we are responding to a call and functioning as an emergency vehicle we are exempt from many motor vehicle statutes. The exception for authorized emergency vehicles is written into the law. You should put some care into phrasing your questions – that one came off sounding very accusatory.

Municipal police officer officers in Connecticut can pull over a person on the interstate, but we usually don’t. The Connecticut State Police usually takes care of the highways, but municipal officers are fully authorized to pull over anyone on the highway or on local roads.

[spikel]

By breaking the law, I meant like going 95 mph on a 65 mph highway. Is that still illegal?

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Search is your friend. This has been addressed many times here.

Many states exempt on-duty LEOs from traffic laws.

[Switchback]

Still not federal.

If you are going code somewhere, you need only do it SAFELY. Everything else is just details.

[KatieMH21]

By breaking the law, I meant like going 95 mph on a 65 mph highway. Is that still illegal?

Who gives a sh*t... just get the hell outta their way. :rolleyes:

[mobrien316]

By breaking the law, I meant like going 95 mph on a 65 mph highway. Is that still illegal?

I understood what you meant and I believe my post answered your question. The answer is NO.

Did you see a police car traveling quickly on the highway and you are trying to find out if the officer was doing something wrong? I'm sure you could do an online search for motor vehicle statutes in your state and get the answer for yourself.

[bdbaskar]

If a cop has their lights off then are they still allowed to break the state and federal laws?

We are to perform our duties with due regard to public safety.

Also is a town cop have the jurisdiction to pull over a person on an interstate highway?

In MS we have to have a written agreement with the MHP for municipalities to operate traffic enforcement on interstates. As long as there is an agreement, then yes. County deputies are allowed to work anywhere in the county.

[qpd158]

We can and frequently do...or least I do, respond to an emergency call and if there is alot of traffic, my emergency lights are on. If the call is one that I can resond with as much stealth as possible, I may not have ANY lights on, no matter what time of day/morning is.

If you come to my jursicdition, running 95 on the interstate you are safe from me...but be wary of my county and state friends ;)

[Curt581]

By breaking the law, I meant like going 95 mph on a 65 mph highway. Is that still illegal?

Let's use a hypothetical to explain this in a way you can understand.

Your family/business/self are being victimized by (insert crime) in progress. A witness calls 911 while watching the crime occur.

Would you rather have the police respond:

1. At or below the posted speed limit... ensuring that no citizens call and complain about the unfairness of police cars speeding, but also ensuring that the burglar/rapist/killer has ample time to complete his crime and escape at a leisurely pace.

2. As fast as reasonably possible, but with full lights running, and siren wailing, audible from blocks away. This would interrupt the crime, but also gives the criminal ample warning of our approach. "Jinkies! The cops! Well, thanks for your stuff, but it's time to kill you now".

3. As fast as reasonable possible, but quietly and unobtrusively. That would allow us to interrupt the crime, perhaps saving lives, and catching the criminal in the act.

The simple fact is that the police sometimes have to do things that, when witnessed by the public, are not understood. You don't know why the cop you're describing was speeding. You don't know what he was responding to.

Your immediate understanding of the situation or your individual approval of the officer's methods are not required

[RO56]

Aww, come on, Curt581. We all KNOW it must be all about the donuts, right? :rolleyes:

[Curt581]

Wouldn't matter if it was. All he knows is that a cop sped past him, and now he's offended.

As we all know, anyone going slower than you is an idiot, while anyone going faster than you is a maniac.

[Oldbillplod]

If there is no traffic on the road I quite often go on a shout without using any emergency equipment

[MetPC]

If a cop has their lights off then are they still allowed to break the state and federal laws? Also is a town cop have the jurisdiction to pull over a person on an interstate highway?

Depends if the officer is wearing his/her hat :rolleyes: