What's your opinion of unmarked police cars?

[UK2K]

So I was just pulled over in the Arbys parking lot (its cool, I was coming here for lunch anyway) by an unmarked car. Other than the flashing lights in his grill, you couldn't tell its a police car. No decals. No bar lights.

I don't know when it became common place to have so many unmarked cars, but I know the metro PD has several unmarked pick up trucks as well.

Which is one thing that really irks me. If you are just out to enforce the law, why are you trying to disguise yourself? Seems like the opposite of 'protecting and serving'.

[Raymone]

I don't pull over for unmarked cars. I don't care what little handheld flashing lights they have. Anybody could be posing as one.

It's lead to one hassle so far where they needed several Sheriff cars to surround me, but I explained my position. I've no trouble pulling over for a patrol car or bike. Not gonna happen for some unmarked car.

[JohnnySic]

Yeah. If they were visible it would be a deterrent to speeding and such.

But then they'd make less money.

[UK2K]

Yeah. If they were visible it would be a deterrent to speeding and such.

But then they'd make less money.

Exactly.

Same reason you hide to run radar.

Deter crime, not wait for it to occur and then pounce.

[UK2K]

I don't pull over for unmarked cars. I don't care what little handheld flashing lights they have. Anybody could be posing as one.

It's lead to one hassle so far where they needed several Sheriff cars to surround me, but I explained my position. I've no trouble pulling over for a patrol car or bike. Not gonna happen for some unmarked car.

I'm with ya.

I happen to be driving on a highway in the daytime, but at night on a back road, no way would I pull over for an unmarked car.

There is a number you can call that you can actually speak to a dispatcher who will tell you if you're being followed. Most cities have them.

Sometimes you can spot them, sometimes you can't. I really question the legality of a police car with no identifying deals on it though.

[Heavincent]

I guess it's okay if a cop is doing REAL police work, but if he's just pulling over random speeders? That's horse shit.

[GreggPopazit]

So I was just pulled over in the Arbys parking lot (its cool, I was coming here for lunch anyway) by an unmarked car. Other than the flashing lights in his grill, you couldn't tell its a police car. No decals. No bar lights.

I don't know when it became common place to have so many unmarked cars, but I know the metro PD has several unmarked pick up trucks as well.

Which is one thing that really irks me. If you are just out to enforce the law, why are you trying to disguise yourself? Seems like the opposite of 'protecting and serving'.

Aren't you all about public safety? Concealed weapons for citizens are OK in public, but a concealed police officer is a problem? You are very inconsistent.

[UK2K]

Aren't you all about public safety? Concealed weapons for citizens are OK in public, but a concealed police officer is a problem? You are very inconsistent.

My right to carry is protected by the Constitution.

Their right to dress up like civilians and arrest people isn't.

I am all about safety, which is why would like police cars to be marked, in plain view. It serves as a safety measure for myself, as well as a deterrent for crime.

[GreggPopazit]

My right to carry is protected by the Constitution.

Their right to dress up like civilians and arrest people isn't.

I am all about safety, which is why would like police cars to be marked, in plain view. It serves as a safety measure for myself, as well as a deterrent for crime.

It does add safety having cops unmarked, just not all of them. It is a deterrent to see cops, but if all cops were completely visible at all times, people would simply wait until none are visible to do bad stuff. We see enough of this when driving. Every day there are people speeding but slow when a cop is present, but then speed up again once the cop is gone. Those a-holes need to get caught, not just temporarily deterred. Meanwhile, there are people who drive the speed limit just in case there is a cop that they don't see. Not everybody does this, but it does reduce the amount of speeding for some.

[UK2K]

It does add safety having cops unmarked, just not all of them. It is a deterrent to see cops, but if all cops were completely visible at all times, people would simply wait until none are visible to do bad stuff. We see enough of this when driving. Every day there are people speeding but slow when a cop is present, but then speed up again once the cop is gone. Those a-holes need to get caught, not just temporarily deterred. Meanwhile, there are people who drive the speed limit just in case there is a cop that they don't see. Not everybody does this, but it does reduce the amount of speeding for some.
Maybe.

I was pulled over for (nearly) running a red light.

Had I known a cop was behind me, I wouldn't have done it.

I suppose the same mentality is true with plain clothes loss prevention agents though. The problem is, if you don't know they have them, why would you care?

But to be honest, every time I see a brand new white F150 behind me, I slow down.

[NumberSix]

They're a public safety hazard.