Colorful CHP's

[senpai71]

is it safe to assume that any vehicle with registration tags (not the EXEMPT) is NOT LEO? I saw a police interceptor with the lights and spotlight but it had private reg tags from what I could tell.

I certainly check if it's a CA EXEMPT plate if I see something that looks LEO-ish... Mind you, by the time I can see it that close, chances are it's too late and I'm busted...!



As @anytwowilldo says, undercover cars will look absolutely normal even on fairly close inspection. But unmarked cars (and obviously regular LEO cars) will have a CA EXEMPT plate. Note that these new less-than-colorful CHP cruisers aren't categorized as unmarked - they are regular cop cars that have fewer/less-immediately-visible markings than the ones we're used to.

If you saw a cop car with a regular license plate, then it was a private vehicle. Perhaps owned by a cop, perhaps not. But it certainly can't pull you over, and it can't legally turn on its red/blue lights & siren...

At least that's my understanding. Maybe someone in the LEO forum can offer more accurate information.

 

[Enchanter]

Personal experience tells me that Santa Clara PD has more than a few cars and trucks that are less than 5yrs old with regular plates and hidden red / blue lights.

 

[senpai71]

Personal experience tells me that Santa Clara PD has more than a few cars and trucks that are less than 5yrs old with regular plates and hidden red / blue lights.

Huh.

I've always gone by this sort of advice (which is more about discussing people thinking they might be getting an award from a fake cop:

Undercover or imposter? CHP discusses how to tell if an unmarked vehicle is law enforcement

A warning is being sent out to Sacramento drivers about an unmarked vehicle with lights and a siren that appeared to be law enforcement but was really a law enforcement imposter.

www.cbsnews.com

What's the Difference Between an Undercover and Unmarked Police Car?

Cops use undercover and unmarked police cars for covert operations, leading to unexpected encounters with drivers. Explore the distinctions between these vehicles.

www.motorbiscuit.com

 

[senpai71]

If only all cop cars looked like this!