Is this legal?

[jboy1187]

Hi Im curious about a subject that I've heard 2 opposite answers on... I have a ex cop car and have been putting on mods to make it look like an undercover cop car.... What is legal that I can put on it??? I currently have window barriers on the back windows and it came with the push bumper... and also some strobes hooked up (but they are clear lenses)... I heard that some stuff is legal and some is not.... Are my push bumper and window barriers legal to have on? I want to hook up the wig wag strobes that are already in it.... is that legal to put in? Whats legal and what not?... I heard from one person that its okay to have strobes hooked up and in the car as long as you dont turn them on while moving and as long as the lenses of them are clear... can a officer please tell me what is legal and what is not??? and what police parts and lights I can put in to make it look like a cop car...with out being illeagle?

thanks so much!!!!

-Jay

*5/7/08 6:50pm*
ALSO: Sorry I didn't state this earlier, I own a security company, and own a fleet of 10 cars, I see other companies with lights and bars and such, just want to know what is legal and what is not. Also I live in Minnesota . I talked to my police dept and they also said something about it being okay as long as the lights lenses are clear or amber.... and NOT red or blue....

Anybody have a clue.... whats legal and whats not?... or any suggestions?

thanks again,
Jay

[txinvestigator1]

There are 50 states, each with different laws.

But making your car look like a cop car WILL get you in trouble.

[Citicop]

Hi Im curious about a subject that I've heard 2 opposite answers on... I have a ex cop car and have been putting on mods to make it look like an undercover cop car.... What is legal that I can put on it??? I currently have window barriers on the back windows and it came with the push bumper... and also some strobes hooked up (but they are clear lenses)... I heard that some stuff is legal and some is not.... Are my push bumper and window barriers legal to have on? I want to hook up the wig wag strobes that are already in it.... is that legal to put in? Whats legal and what not?... I heard from one person that its okay to have strobes hooked up and in the car as long as you dont turn them on while moving and as long as the lenses of them are clear... can a officer please tell me what is legal and what is not??? and what police parts and lights I can put in to make it look like a cop car...with out being illeagle?

thanks so much!!!!

-Jay

It will largely depend on your state.

Why do you want a car that looks like a police car? It seems to me that it could only get you in trouble, as you are NOT A COP.

And if you want something that looks like an "undercover cop car" look at a late 1990's Ford Aerostar minivan. Undercover cars aren't supposed to look like police cars at all, and have no lights, push bumpers, etc. This is because the idea of being undercover is for people to not know you are a cop, when you really are.

If you get a "real" undercover car, you could drive around and be amazed that no one thinks you are a cop.

Which is good, because you aren't.

It seems, however, that you want people to think you are, when you are not. That is impersonation.

Citicop.

[Kimble]

It will largely depend on your state.

Why do you want a car that looks like a police car? It seems to me that it could only get you in trouble, as you are NOT A COP...
It seems, however, that you want people to think you are, when you are not. That is impersonation.

Citicop summed it up pretty well. Impersonation of a LEO is a crime in every state I'm aware of, so unless you want to guarantee yourself a bed and 3 square meals in a jail cell, don't make your car look like a cop car. To restate what Citi stated before...


YOU ARE NOT A COP!

[Piggy]

You're setting yourself up to be arrested. You have intentions on making your car look like a law enforcement vehicle. It's only going to take one person to file a complaint about the way you drove, cut them off, followed them, looked at them, and you'll be on your way to jail. Not a smart move.

[cobravenom1]

In CA, impersonating a LEO can get you killed. Too many BG's down here that would be willing to pop you if they find out you are fake. Hint, Hint;).:D

[Johninaustin]

I love these guys. Makes for a lot of hilarity down at central booking and the impound lot. ;)

[Old Trooper]

You stated you already asked your local police dept about it.....why are you asking me now???? WHAT A TOOL!!!!!!:rolleyes:

[Johninaustin]

One more thing. NO ONE puts together a fake police car and then does NOT use it for impersonation.

"security company" or not. :rolleyes:

[MP_Steve]

Not to endorse your activities, but in my area there is a security patrol service that have "low-profile" police model vehicles that they utilize for their patrols.

For anyone that thinks they are experts in spotting unmarked police vehicles, these cars would set off all of your bells and whistles (until you run the plates and see the company name).

The owner is an outstanding businessman and an ex-cop with a few years under his belt for a medium sized city. He left when he figured out he could make a fortune with the company he now owns, which he has.

He markets his business on the fact that he only hires certified (mostly reserve) police officers for patrol positions, and they operate company cars that either marked or unmarked and look like police vehicles to the untrained eye.

First impressions are everything, and when people see his fleet of late-model, police style sedans and sharp dressed, squared away patrol officers, that's what brings him his business.

Watch yourself. Some things may get you into trouble.

[manahmanah]

I would think that as a supposed "owner" of a security company you would have already done research concerning what is legal and illegal as far as vehicles are concerned.