Ask a cop
 

Ok I'm going to try this here, If you haven't already figured it out I'm a Deputy Sheriff. I'm making this thread so you can ask questions that may be lingering in your mind. Maybe you have a question about why the cop who just stopped you did something. Maybe you have a question about the legality of a mod. Whatever it is, I am giving you an opportunity to ask. I don't have the answers to everything you may ask but I'll do my best (this especially applies to laws in other states although I've often referred to another state's law to find an answer for someone, because I know law can be hard to read/interpret). At the very least I can give you the LEO point of view. Some things we do may make no sense until you hear why we do it.

I've only got one rule.
Rule #1 this thread is not to bash cops. If this turns into a cop bashing thread, or someone trying to start an argument I will shut it down. I hope that doesn't happen,

Should we have issues with the rear fog light long as its not flashing ??

Got some heat from an officer about it the other day but his reasoning dident make sense. He said its because only police can have red lights on their car. And tried to explain what it was but he "dident want to hear excuses". No ticket though just kinda grilled me about it and threatened me with a fine for unauthorized lights. Is this right?

I wouldn't think Tennessee law would mean much above the 49th parallel.

The laws may not be the same but maybe he can shed some light on what is going through a cop's mind when you reach behind the seat to get your registration from the owner's manual cubby. :)

I am curious what your professional opinion is about motorists being stopped at random "checkpoints", or randomly being stopped on the street and then refusing to answer questions or give information to LEO citing the 4th amendment as giving an individual the right to do so? Can you infact refuse to give information and ask if you have broken any laws, and just ask if you are being detained, and if not ask if you are free to go? What is your interpretation of this, and how do you feel about this trend as a LEO? Thanks for the info.

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Do I Stop, or Do I Go?
 

Got a new light in my hood on a 4 lane road intersection. Traffic light on right lane shows RED with a Green turn rt arrow/light. WTF? Do I stop then turn or do like everyone else & maintain speed and just turn? Sorry I do not have pic but can get one. Was wondering who I could call to get law.

This is a great thread!

Don't have to be a LEO for that one. Stop behind the crosswalk, then proceed with your turn when/if safe to do so.

I'm guessing you live in a state that does not have right-turn-on-red. The lights are giving you permission to do so.

2 Questions
 

Question 1: Does it do any good to try to explain when you get pulled over?

Question 2: just got pulled over a week ago for running a red. 7 AM on my way to work I honestly did not see it changing to yellow until too late. If I had slammed on brakes I would have slid into intersection of this minimal street. My luck -Cop was stopped at intersection & I immediately knew my goose was cooked. EXCUSE: my 93 yo mother fell & dislocated her shoulder. I’d been spending the night at her home sleeping on the living room floor and only for a couple hours. Was dog dead tired – not a valid excuse not to go in to work. Too exhausted to drive yes, but had to. I DO NOT try to beat the yellow ever!
Question for you: should I just pay the $300-400 fine online or go to court & try to explain. My driving record before this is spotless for like 30 years. Thanks for your input. V

Does the make/model of a vehicle have any influence on whether you stop someone? (i.e. sports car vs family van)

I'm just wondering about test pipes, if you were to get pulled over for something else like let's just say no front plate or going through a check point and they have suspicion about you not running cats what's the best way to handle that situation?

Is that what that's for? It fits a pint bottle just right. /sarc

I have these type of lights all over near me. The green arrow means just go. Stopping is not required. If it was just red with no green arrow then you'd stop before making the right turn.

So you start a thread and don't answer any questions? Saw you've been on today. What's up?

I'm an officer in Maryland and I can tell everyone that I will stop u for anything I can reference traffic violations but I will not give u ticket. We use the violation as probable cause for the stop to look for bigger and better things. Drugs guns dead bodies ect. I write warnings if nothing is found. Not all officers are like this though, so if you are not a drug dealing thug all u need to do is be nice and apologize for whatever you did. If your car is full of equipment violations expect to get stopped.

This ^^