Unmarked patrol vehicles are used for a variety of reasons, like catching speeding or aggressive drivers. Why do departments have unmarked units? Finding Your Next Car: Why you should consider buying a Mitsubishi. Some people believe that if you ask an undercover officer if they're a cop, they're obligated by law to tell you the truth. Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/05/how-to-spot-unmarked-police-cars/, https://revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/license-plate-information/government-plates/, https://www.wheels.ca/guides/how-to-spot-an-unmarked-police-car/, https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/6007035/how-to-spot-an-unmarked-police-car-on-the-motorway-check-for-these-tell-tale-signs/, https://jalopnik.com/5978151/could-it-be-illegal-to-drive-an-ex-cop-car, https://www.carthrottle.com/post/wp7684j/, https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/05/how-to-spot-unmarked-police-cars/light-bars, https://www.thinglink.com/scene/731159120169664513?buttonSource=viewLimits, https://www.policeone.com/police-products/apparel/undercover/articles/8472072-Whats-it-like-to-be-an-undercover-cop/, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/16/mark-kennedy-undercover-cop-jemima-kahn, http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/articles/2007/11/how-to-spot-a-concealed-firearm.aspx, https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-spot-an-undercover-cop-2015-12, https://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/criminal-law/drug_crimes/cop_arrested.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. History. Unfortunately, I only found out áfter the sign went up :-). It’s a fairly large, round exterior light that sits in front of the driver’s side mirror. The majority of civilian vehicles with push bumpers are larger models, such as Hummers, Jeeps, and pickup trucks. Traditional police cars have an additional light called a spotlight. If you don't see a light bar on the grill, take a peek at the bottom of the rear windshield, just above the back row of seats. The back seat of a police car is­ not comfortable. How to spot an unmarked police car. What he means is that an unmarked car is just that, unmarked. It's not legal for civilians to drive cars equipped with emergency lights, so if you see them, you can be sure that there's an officer behind the wheel. An undercover officer's cargo pockets aren't just there for decoration—more often than not, they'll be full. Volvo S60 Dark Grey (not seen for a while though, maybe in use elsewhere in North Yorks). To identify an unmarked police car, look for nondescript plates on the back of the vehicle. Volvo S60 Navy Blue. An unmarked car is a police car that doesn't look like a standard black and white cruiser with a light bar on top. There are speed traps all over the country, with officers setting up shop roadside, hoping to deter speeding and catch those breaking the law. How many people do you know who rock tactical boots with a Chargers hoodie and khaki cargo pants? The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. Do Undercover cops have to identify themselves? Highway patrol officers have used unmarked police cars for years. Unmarked police vehicles keep getting more and more sophisticated. People are complex. Tip: The Ford Crown Victoria, Dodge Charger Pursuit, Chevrolet Impala, and Hummer H3 are among the most common vehicles used by police departments throughout North America. unlocking this staff-researched answer. What you're thinking of as "unmarked" police cars are the ones driven by plainclothes detectives and such. To some extent, this is done to psychologically suppress people in the back seat, but it also makes it tougher to gain leverage or momentum if someone tries to launch an attack. The vehicle has several antennas, the side mirrors are a bit different, and the license plate number is sometimes a giveaway. Unmarked Mustang GT Police Car Nabs Honda Accord Trying To Race A Tesla Model 3. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 68,043 times. Warning: There are no rules for what sorts of clothing, activities, or events people can enjoy. We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately as to whether or not they are legal under Washington State law. Last Updated: October 1, 2020 However, it’s not likely an undercover cop will be found in a blue, red, or other bright colored car. By using our site, you agree to our. Unmarked police vehicles can often be recognized by features like municipal plates, clusters of antennas, and dark tinted windows. Making out the name or logo of a generic store brand on an article of clothing (such as Mossimo, Merona, or And1), should only strengthen your suspicion. If you discover that the person you're talking to is concealing a firearm, it's wise not to say anything to them about it, whether they're a police officer or not. Police said Berry might have thought the unmarked police car was the vehicle following his fiancée. Some unmarked cop cars are even required to have tags bearing the name of the local police department. These plates will also say “Municipal” at the bottom. State-issued license plates have pre-determined digits at the beginning. These can be harder to catch, but they still have a fairly distinct look. In some cases, municipal plates may be stamped with the letters “MU” at the end. Watch out for neutral-colored cars. So how do you spot an unmarked police car? Even if you’re watching for unmarked vehicles, you just look for a Crown Victoria, Impala or Dodge Charger … People don’t like mistaking an unofficial police interceptor with the real thing, so there’s a fierce debate over the rules of owning a decommissioned police car. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Spot-Undercover-Cops-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Spot-Undercover-Cops-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Spot-Undercover-Cops-Step-1.jpg\/aid10704107-v4-728px-Spot-Undercover-Cops-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"