Question for Ohio officers

[lexcoptk]

Recently I stopped a motorist from Ohio on the interstate for speeding (95 in a 65). I was astonished that they did not even attempt to slow down when they passed the spot where I was parked. I was on the inside median next to the concrete barrier, standing outside my vehicle, using a laser to clock the vehicles.

It took me about two miles to catch the vehicle and when I activated my emergency equipment the vehicle did not imediatly pull over. When the vehicle finally stops and I walk up to speek to the driver, he gives me some line about how I am not allowed to make traffic stops in an unmarked car.

I drive a plain white Crown Vic (obviously a police car) just like the rest of my department's traffic unit. I assured him that I could, and proceeded to write him a citation.

When I told my squad about this at ending roll call, I was told a couple of similar tales by other officers. Including a buddy of mine that was cussed out by an Ohio motorist because he had stopped her this past summer while on his motor.

So my question is this: Can Ohio officers really NOT stop someone unless they are in a marked unit?

[BOARDMANK9YUMA]

I believe it's one of those urban legends that just get worse and worse. Many Ohio Departments (State Patrol) have strict rules pertaining to running radar w/out headlights on, unmarked cruisers, etc. However, Ohio law allows unmarked cruisers to stop cars as long as there is a flashing or oscilating light and some sort of siren. Our department policy allows for unmarked cruiser stops but a marked cruiser will be summoned ASAP. Also, a pursuit must be relinquished to the first marked unit if an unmarked initiates it. Here's a cut & paste of our ORC. Hope this helps and sorry we Ohioans are a little slow!

[Bing_Oh]

Ah, that's technically not true, Boardman. Any LE vehicle in Ohio which is used exclusively for or whos main purpose is traffic enforcement must be marked.

4549.13. Motor vehicles used by traffic officers.

Any motor vehicle used by a member of the state highway patrol or by any other peace officer, while said officer is on duty for the exclusive or main purpose of enforcing the motor vehicle or traffic laws of this state, provided the offense is punishable as a misdemeanor, shall be marked in some distinctive manner or color and shall be equipped with, but need not necessarily have in operation at all times, at least one flashing, oscillating, or rotating colored light mounted outside on top of the vehicle. The superintendent of the state highway patrol shall specify what constitutes such a distinctive marking or color for the state highway patrol.

So, if the officer's primary duty includes traffic enforcement, the vehicle must be marked approprately.

[SgtScott31]

That sux. We have some great unmarked units in Nashville TN. My dept only has a marked "slicktop," but the new aggressive driving unit was formed with the Metro PD here in Nashville and they have different colored Impalas & CV's that are not marked at all, until they light up about 20 different LED's.

I wish someone would give me that bullsh** excuse about not having to pull over for an unmarked unit. I would tell them "ok," right before I yank them out and arrest them for felony evading.

[oldcop1971]

What is it with Ohio motorists, anyway? I know the OHP would put them under the jail for 95/65 but they get down South and think they can drive any way they want to. I stopped one on I65 doing 100 and asked him if OHP let him drive like that and he said he'd be in jail for that kind of driving at home.

[j706]

Indiana statute is basicly marked car in or out of uniform. Unmarked car you must be in uniform.That is for traffic related offenses. What is up with some of these people from the Cincinati Oh. area? I have had them tell me I can't do this and I can't do that. One said I want to see your radar and you have to show it to me if I ask. Is that the law in Ohio? Some of them seem to have a big time attitude problem with law enforcement. I say some so if thats were your from don't be offended.

[BOARDMANK9YUMA]

Bing Oh,

I couldn't find that section for the life of me the other day! Good job. It almost sounds like it only applies to OSP because any other department wouldn't be "exclusively" traffic enforcement, unless it's a traffic division car.

Either way, an unmarked cruiser can make a stop and the driver must comply as long as the light and audible signal are there. I can see how the average citizen gets confused though!

P.S. I'm sure there's no law on showing the radar. People just love trying to get one over on the ol' po-po!

[lexcoptk]

What is it with Ohio motorists, anyway? I know the OHP would put them under the jail for 95/65 but they get down South and think they can drive any way they want to. I stopped one on I65 doing 100 and asked him if OHP let him drive like that and he said he'd be in jail for that kind of driving at home.


For some odd reason we get a lot of speedy drivers from Ohio and I asked one that very same question. His reply was that he knew that Ky doesn't do a lot of enforcement on the interstates. That used to be true, and could be still, depending on what part of the state you are in.

[americanoutdrsm]

Thats strange everytime I am in ohio everyone seems to drive so damn slow.

[Bushum]

Thats strange everytime I am in ohio everyone seems to drive so damn slow.

That's why they drive so fast in other states. They think they are "unleashed" when they leave Ohio. And no we don't have to show them any readings on any speed measuring device.

[CrazyLadyy]

Thats strange everytime I am in ohio everyone seems to drive so damn slow.

I'd like to know part of Ohio that is, I'll move there. :D

[CincyCop]

So, if the officer's primary duty includes traffic enforcement, the vehicle must be marked approprately.

True. All of our Cincinnati PD traffic enforcement vehicles are marked.

[CincyCop]

What is it with Ohio motorists, anyway?

Who knows! :confused:

[tommyr73]

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[Dinosaur32]

Tommy,
I cannot fathom traffic enforcement as a "covert" operation. Organized crime or gang investigations but speeding no. Most states use "unmarked cars". And I fully understand the obligation to use marked cars or for the officers to be in uniform. We've had a number of crimes committed here in NY by cop impersonators in "unmarked cars". If i was pulled over by such a car and the "officer" exiting the vehicle was not in uniform I would react a lot differently than I would toward a uniform.

[americanoutdrsm]

I'd like to know part of Ohio that is, I'll move there. :D

I'm originally from Newark, OH, just east of columbus, and go back there about once a year. They all drive slower than a snail stuck on flypaper around there. Like 10 under posted slow.

[tommyr73]

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[Jumper]

Not a cop...yet, but I'm from Cincy.

We have really dumb drivers here. That's pretty much the reason. Oh, that and a sense of entitlement. I mean, EVERYONE here in Cincinnati is more important than everyone else and being so important precludes them from having to drive even reasonably well.

Apparently drivers from our fair city are unable to distinguish state borders hence the poor driving in KY, TN, et al.

[JohnnyLawman]

yeah?? OH folks were some of my best drivers & now in the last 6 mos...
they are the some of my WORSE & I mean 90 in a 55 :mad:
****y & rude?
it's like 1 in 4 speeding drivers are from OH

[NJTrooper]

yeah?? OH folks were some of my best drivers & now in the last 6 mos...
they are the some of my WORSE & I mean 90 in a 55 :mad:
****y & rude?
it's like 1 in 4 speeding drivers are from OH

The other 3 out of 4 are most likely from NJ..

[JohnnyLawman]

The other 3 out of 4 are most likely from NJ..

:D & MD & NY & of course PA

[Bushum]

About 75% of my 90 MPH+ are from Chicago :confused:

[kspec28]

I'm originally from Newark, OH, just east of columbus, and go back there about once a year. They all drive slower than a snail stuck on flypaper around there. Like 10 under posted slow.

Well, I grew up in Nerk too, and I still go back home every now and then. I went to LV Hight school. The expressway is still 55mph, I look down when I come into town and Im usually still crusing around 70mph, so I just set the cruise and head towards 668.

[J_Mann]

[QUOTE=tommyr73]That sucks here in the state of Virginia, we (Troopers) have a wide range covert cars. They go from cameros, to slick tops, to total oh crap i just passed a trooper car. We also have aerial enforcement. I think it is a great deterent. sorry ohio that is a crazy law.QUOTE]

Ohio uses aerial enforcement as well. Although most of the citizens don't know about it, which is one of the reasons why it's so effective.

If anyone of you guys have ever been to Ohio, your chances of seeing an "unmarked" are about 1/500. I saw one up by cleveland one time, but it had the little "pop top" light on it.

I was an officer in a small village in Ohio, and you'd be surprised on how many people think they know your job, (i.e. wanting to see your radar/laser, having to have your running lights on when running traffic enforcment detail.) My most common response..."I'm just gonna need to you sign here."

[J_Mann]

hey...i'm from Newark too. I work at Granville PD.

[tommyr73]

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