Some of the enforcement is complaint and lawsuit driven, too. We can be our own worst enemy. If an accident occurs and one of the drivers hires an attorney who sues the LE agency for "knowing about a hazard/traffic problem/road where people speed all the time" and doing nothing about it - like writing tickets....expect to see an uptic in enforcement.

In CA, the California Highway Patrol is a traffic enforcement agency. That's their focus. Unless in a rural area and backing up a Deputy Sheriff or local LE, they never respond to radio calls. They won't even investigate a shooting that happened on a freeway - it's left to the locals. They do what they know and are evaluated on. Traffic Divisions or units are the same way - with the exception that they will back up their fellow cops on a regular basis.

I'll never forget the CHP Sgt who pulled me over for talking on my cell phone. He was completely frustrated and was trying to justify writing me a ticket for it. I was talking to a witness on a homicide/arson case but he just couldn't leave it alone.

As far as the unmarked units - it keeps the public guessing.

....and I never minded the waves when working a marked unit....even the one finger one's. Just made me laugh.

He finally blurted out "you're an investigator, you're not a real cop!!!"

I calmly replied "Lemme see...homicide - cell phone ticket...homicide - cell phone ticket....hmmmmmm - uh, yeah" I told him about section 165 of the CA Vehicle Code (CHP Bible) which makes me and my car exempt, just like a marked unit, and drove away. I carry copies of the section now to hand out - 3 times so far.

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[quote=In CA, the California Highway Patrol is a traffic enforcement agency. That's their focus. Unless in a rural area and backing up a Deputy Sheriff or local LE, they never respond to radio calls. They won't even investigate a shooting that happened on a freeway - it's left to the locals. They do what they know and are evaluated on. Traffic Divisions or units are the same way - with the exception that they will back up their fellow cops on a regular basis.

I'll never forget the CHP Sgt who pulled me over for talking on my cell phone. He was completely frustrated and was trying to justify writing me a ticket for it. I was talking to a witness on a homicide/arson case but he just couldn't leave it alone.


He finally blurted out "you're an investigator, you're not a real cop!!!"

I calmly replied "Lemme see...homicide - cell phone ticket...homicide - cell phone ticket....hmmmmmm - uh, yeah" I told him about section 165 of the CA Vehicle Code (CHP Bible) which makes me and my car exempt, just like a marked unit, and drove away. I carry copies of the section now to hand out - 3 times so far.[/QUOTE]

A similar situation happened years ago in Montreal.
The Quebec Provincial Police patrols strictly work highway enforcement around Montreal. A Montreal cop was on his way, warrant in hand, to hit a Chinese gambling operation. He was speeding (what a surprise!) and was stopped and lectured by a Priovincial officer while the rest of the operation was on hold.

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Fred
Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
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Fred - that's sadly hilarious and unfortunately common.

We hit a house and were heading back with evidence, still wearing vests marked POLICE on the front. My partner inadvertently took the carpool onramp to the freeway - she was just transferred in from NY and unfamiliar with the area - CHP wrote her a citation.

This could continue for weeks but I'll stop there.

Duh.
Probably not on the promotion list.

__________________
Fred
Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
Sarcasm is not just a right, but a responsibility.

You had me until this post

Just because she's wearing that vest and unfamiliar with area does not exempt her from simple traffic laws. C'mon - you know this.

But he should have just let her go - professional courtesy, you know.

I get PC regularly just as a land use consultant who has worked for a lot of local leos on a personal level

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You're partially right, but CA Vehicle Code 165 does exempt her. She was working in a LE capacity and it's clear in CVC 165 what the course of action should be.

I'm not saying "professional courtesy" doesn't exist, but that wasn't the case here. It was a law...just like every other law in the Veh Code.

So you mean the officer wrote a bad ticket or just plain used his judgement to make that call? How was it resolved in court?

I was well treated when their was a firefighter badge in my wallet

Wouldn't be better if you just took their keys and wallet and then gave it back to them in an hour or 2

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8/2/2013

Woggy - I can't say what was in the officers mind when he wrote the ticket. I do know he was educated on 165 CVC, making the vehicle an "authorized emergency vehicle" which makes it exempt.

If memory serves, the ticket was rescinded without court appearances.