unmarked police cars

[skwab]

So I was driving to work yesterday and I witnessed an unmarked police car pulling over someone (speeder, suspect I have no idea - I assume a speeder) but what struck my curiosity was that the LEO's vehicle was a run-of-the-mill chevy suburban Z71 with internal lights - it didn't look like so many of the unmarked police cars I see - so my question was, if you get pulled over by an unmarked vehicle, is there any protocol that the LEO follows that is different, or would it be out of line for whoever is getting pulled over to ask to see the LEO's badge and ID?
And then there is the CCW factor, would it be out of line especially if I am carrying, to ask to see the ID of the LEO before handing over my weapon (if requested) - just curious what the protocol is for a situation like that (if there is any)

 

[exar]

Out here they use the Expeditions with blacked-out windows and internal LED light bars mounted in the windows and grill. Pretty hard to tell if you don't know what to look for.

 

[REOIV]

It is a good question and one reason I hate unmarked cop cars doing traffic stops.

On 1-35 southbound as you come into Oklahoma City they have tons of unmarked cop cars that look like black suburbans, red camaros etc pulling people over for speeding. The only way you can tell it is a cop car is that they have led light strips hidden in the grills and bumpers of the cars.

I wondered if I could request a real black and white car if I ever got pulled over by one of those.

Let alone if a person could keep going until a black and white pulled them over. Their defense being they have no clue if that car is a real cop car or not. It could easily just be some crazy that likes pulling people over.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

The cop has no business taking your weapon for a speeding violation (unless it warrants arrest). Concealed means concealed, unless you happen to live in state where you are required to tell an officer about your CCW.

 

[rxraptor02]

I had this question about the Indiana State Police. I see the same thing here.
I contacted the state police and was told. unmarked cars can do traffic stops, however the officer must be in uniform. They also told me that marked cars the officer does not have to be in uniform.

They also told me I can ask for a Picture ID with name/rank/post.

If it looks fishy, call 911 report your location and ask if it is a real officer.

Your state should have a FAQ page for the state police. When I sent my question It was at 10pm, by 9am the next morning I had my answer.

Asking the local or state police for your location will be best. Every dept is different.

 

[Pitmaster]

When I have read stories or watched interviews regarding suspicions about being pulled over by someone posing as LE the suggestion is to slow down and drive towards a safe public place such as a gas station, convenience store, etc. As long as you do the above you won't get in anymore trouble than you are all ready in. But you may have an angry officer. Once you explain your reason LE should be OK with it, especially if you are a woman.

 

[ID_shooting]

I asked the same of our CLEO here when I talked to him at the courthouse. He said that if one of the unmarked cars tries to pull you over and you think it is fishy to drive straight to the police station and no ill will come to you.

Every couple of months you hear about people impersonating LEOs and doing bad bad things. I for one will not pull over for an unmarked car. Likely I will turn on my 4-way lights so a real LEO knows I saw him, drive slow so he knows I am not running, and b-line right to the station.

LEOs here, what do YOU think is prudent?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Sorry, this is off topic.