Tonight's rookie mistake...

[Guams]

So here I am, bored out of my mind at 12:15am. I decide I'm going to sit at the park entrance and do some ocular speed estimates to get myself up to par on those. I have radar in hand waiting for some cars to go by thinking "I won't stop a car unless it's some unreasonable speed." Well, the fourth car that comes by is moving along a good clip and I'm thinking... "easy 70mph plus." I was right, radar showed 74mph. The speed limit was 55 at that spot and coming out of a 35mph zone, I found it interesting. I saw the white blur of the vehicle go by so I turn in behind it while it's pulling away quite fast. I hit the red and blues and this car is NOT slowing down, I'm doing an easy 85mph and still not gaining on it. About a mile down the road I finally get somewhat close to it and....









The car I'm chasing turns on IT'S red and blues!!!!! Just for a short moment though, to let me know "you're an idiot, stop pestering me." I sure do feel like an idiot. Right when I saw his lights I was reminded of the "would you ever pull over another cop" thread. That made me feel even dumber.


So here's a question for everyone: When you're blacked out on the side of the road running traffic, how do you distinguish another LEO from a civilian when you don't have reflection off the target car? Oh, and how many of you have done the same thing?


*hangs his head in shame*

[Desert DPS]

lol

I've chased down a Border Patrol guy before. They drive all sorts of different vehicles here so it isn't always easy to tell if it's them or not. When I realized it was BP I stopped following them.

Was the car you were "pursuing" (lol) your own department?

[Guams]

lol

I've chased down a Border Patrol guy before. They drive all sorts of different vehicles here so it isn't always easy to tell if it's them or not. When I realized it was BP I stopped following them.

Was the car you were "pursuing" (lol) your own department?

Nah, I was the only one on tonight. I couldn't tell if was a SCSD car or a Hudson car, I don't recall seeing any markings when it turned off the road we were on.

[Len]

I don't think this qualifies as a "rookie" mistake, I've personally seen everyone from Lt's down to patrolman do it. Don't sweat it :cool:

[pujolsfan146]

If you ever send a message over the computer telling your co-workers you will be sitting at a certain location running radar you can bet a few minutes later they will fly by trying to bait you.

[Guams]

I don't think this qualifies as a "rookie" mistake, I've personally seen everyone from Lt's down to patrolman do it. Don't sweat it :cool:

That makes me feel a bit better lol. But still, is there any easy way to distinguish another LE vehicle from civilians?

[exComptonCop]

But still, is there any easy way to distinguish another LE vehicle from civilians?

Not sure how it's done in Wisconsin, but that huge, conspicuous light bar mounted on top of the unit, is the tell tale sign out here in CA. ;)

[Guams]

Not sure how it's done in Wisconsin, but that huge, conspicuous light bar mounted on top of the unit, is the tell tale sign out here in CA. ;)

Thanks Captain Obvious:p :p

I should have clarified: how about when you're blacked out at 0-dark-30?

[stealth600]

Around here, other officers/deputies will flip on their lights just prior to passing you or just after they do pass you, especially unmarked units. It has been plenty of times I will start pulling out on someone and they finally turn on some lights. Now it's only a matter of the people in the civilian Crown Vics that are pretty much outfitted like an unmarked car that I would worry about.

[S.O.444]

I've done that before. :D

[BigRob]

Where I work when everybody knows where your posted up, they will come flying by to make sure your not sleeping.

[lewy15]

So here's a question for everyone: When you're blacked out on the side of the road running traffic, how do you distinguish another LEO from a civilian when you don't have reflection off the target car? Oh, and how many of you have done the same thing?

*

Check the license plate

[Smurfette_76]

Don't feel bad. I tried to stop one of our narc guys one night. I ran the plate before lighting them up and comm told me, "93, give comm a 21." yeah. big ole idiot.

[SRT936]

If you ever send a message over the computer telling your co-workers you will be sitting at a certain location running radar you can bet a few minutes later they will fly by trying to bait you.


Aint that the truth. :D I've been caught by that trick and pulled it on more then a few guys too. Great fun to be had by all.

Ever since I got the Charger, I've been chased down by more coppers then I can count. :eek:

[Guams]

Check the license plate

I wasn't anywhere close enough to the car to see the plates. I lit up early and he hit his lights when I was still 40 yards behind him. At night, there's no way to see the plates that far away, at least for me.

[williamssd]

Guams,

I'm originally from a nice city just south and west of UWSP, and my first department was a bigger city due north. We used to do this sorta' thing all the time on 3rds, especially to the day guys who were called in early just to see if they were sleeping (STH 51/I39 was a great place to pull this type of thing).

I learned to try to make-out the type of vehicle first, but if it was really dark I would make a general call under DVP (scrambling) to see if anyone unmarked guys were on the move (the local SO, other municipalities, D4 in Rib Mountain, etc., would pick it up). We also knew exactly what all of unmarked squads looked like in close-by departments. The only problem we had was you DNR guys with your fancy trucks! ;-)

Stay safe, and if drop me a PM if Falstad is still the OIC in that area of the state.

Will

[Guams]

Guams,

I'm originally from a nice city just south and west of UWSP, and my first department was a bigger city due north. We used to do this sorta' thing all the time on 3rds, especially to the day guys who were called in early just to see if they were sleeping (STH 51/I39 was a great place to pull this type of thing).

I learned to try to make-out the type of vehicle first, but if it was really dark I would make a general call under DVP (scrambling) to see if anyone unmarked guys were on the move (the local SO, other municipalities, D4 in Rib Mountain, etc., would pick it up). We also knew exactly what all of unmarked squads looked like in close-by departments. The only problem we had was you DNR guys with your fancy trucks! ;-)

Stay safe, and if drop me a PM if Falstad is still the OIC in that area of the state.

Will

I don't work the areas around Point ;) I work about 3 hours west of there. The name sounds familiar, but I can't place it with a department or face right now.

Oh, and if you still worked in the area, you'd know us rangers easily. The trucks are big, loud, white, and says "RANGER" in big green letters. There's no mistaking them lol.

[nrneuha]

I don't think this qualifies as a "rookie" mistake, I've personally seen everyone from Lt's down to patrolman do it. Don't sweat it :cool:

I was gonna say, I'm pretty sure everybody has and or will do this someday. At night you are always so freaking bored, you'll stop anybody for anything. I lit up a state trooper once, and we are always playing tricks on each other in the middle of the night. If I know my Sgt. is on I will come in to town 30+ over the speed limit and see if I can get pulled over. It's something we do here. I'm waiting for the day I do it and get stopped by a statie and get a ticket though. Lol.

[cjs-luke]

Ahh yes, did this twice on ride-alongs as an explorer. I agree when it's dark you can't tell toyota's from semi's.

[CO1259]

Ahh yes, did this twice on ride-alongs as an explorer. I agree when it's dark you can't tell toyota's from semi's.


Not even with the slight difference in size? :p

[208]

Ive had guyes in marked units know im running radar and crank it from a distance from me just to get me going....also have had some pass by realize im there then crank it...of course it would only be late at night with no civilians on the road.

[Guams]

Ahh yes, did this twice on ride-alongs as an explorer. I agree when it's dark you can't tell toyota's from semi's.

I think I'd be able to tell those apart... :p

[aircop26]

So here I am, bored out of my mind at 12:15am. I decide I'm going to sit at the park entrance and do some ocular speed estimates to get myself up to par on those. I have radar in hand waiting for some cars to go by thinking "I won't stop a car unless it's some unreasonable speed." Well, the fourth car that comes by is moving along a good clip and I'm thinking... "easy 70mph plus." I was right, radar showed 74mph. The speed limit was 55 at that spot and coming out of a 35mph zone, I found it interesting. I saw the white blur of the vehicle go by so I turn in behind it while it's pulling away quite fast. I hit the red and blues and this car is NOT slowing down, I'm doing an easy 85mph and still not gaining on it. About a mile down the road I finally get somewhat close to it and....









The car I'm chasing turns on IT'S red and blues!!!!! Just for a short moment though, to let me know "you're an idiot, stop pestering me." I sure do feel like an idiot. Right when I saw his lights I was reminded of the "would you ever pull over another cop" thread. That made me feel even dumber.


So here's a question for everyone: When you're blacked out on the side of the road running traffic, how do you distinguish another LEO from a civilian when you don't have reflection off the target car? Oh, and how many of you have done the same thing?


*hangs his head in shame*






Want an embarassing moment? I work dayshift, I clock 2 vehicles traveling together 50mph in 35mph. I decide to go after the leader called in the tag and gave my location of my stop. I then hear, DA-52 I'm out with your unit. I look in my mirror but don't see anyone. I then feel about 2 inches tall, and realized that I just pulled over 1 of our countie's DA Task Force Units that drives a black Ford Expedition that's unmarked. He got a good laugh out of that one. As for tags, that does'nt always work. Here in Oklahoma, unmarked units that often display regular State of Oklahoma civilian tags, come back not on file. As for the second vehicle, that was his girlfriend behind him, imagine that.:rolleyes: Stay safe :cool:

[pulicords]

Want an embarassing moment? I work dayshift, I clock 2 vehicles traveling together 50mph in 35mph. I decide to go after the leader called in the tag and gave my location of my stop. I then hear, DA-52 I'm out with your unit. I look in my mirror but don't see anyone. I then feel about 2 inches tall, and realized that I just pulled over 1 of our countie's DA Task Force Units that drives a black Ford Expedition that's unmarked. He got a good laugh out of that one. As for tags, that does'nt always work. Here in Oklahoma, unmarked units that often display regular State of Oklahoma civilian tags, come back not on file. As for the second vehicle, that was his girlfriend behind him, imagine that.:rolleyes: Stay safe :cool:

No reason for you to be embarrassed because you were doing good work. The U/C operator and his girlfriend are the ones who should be embarrassed for doing something (speeding) that drew attention to their vehicles. A small suggestion though- I wouldn't make a habit of describing undercover vehicles used in areas I work on a public forum.

[aircop26]

No reason for you to be embarrassed because you were doing good work. The U/C operator and his girlfriend are the ones who should be embarrassed for doing something (speeding) that drew attention to their vehicles. A small suggestion though- I wouldn't make a habit of describing undercover vehicles used in areas I work on a public forum.




I think you misunderstood me, the DA unit was not undercover, just unmarked. We have a ton of all black Ford Expeditioins in my county alone (civilian ones of course). So I pretty sure I did not give away any big secrets. I am fully aware of what they drive, so I'm thinking he blended in pretty well, especially since I stopped him. Thanks for the support though.;) :cool:

[Guams]

No reason for you to be embarrassed because you were doing good work. The U/C operator and his girlfriend are the ones who should be embarrassed for doing something (speeding) that drew attention to their vehicles. A small suggestion though- I wouldn't make a habit of describing undercover vehicles used in areas I work on a public forum.

Sound advice.

But still, it makes you feel stupid when it happens. You should'nt feel stupid... but you can't really help it.:o

[JohnV]

I tried to stop one of our undercover units one evening for running a stop sign coming out of an apartment complex known for moving a lot of dope and guns.

I ran the tag but the return was slow for some reason. The vehicle was about to get on a busy highway (I prefer to not stop cars on them) so I lit him up. He slow rolled for about 200 feet and I thought I was about to have a pursuit on my hands until he threw it in park (I did the same) and jumped out and waved at me right as I was unassing my unit.

Lucky for me (and him) I recognized him from one of our local hangouts and we both just laughed about it and got back in our vehicles. I'm sure anyone just driving by was pretty confused though...

[208]

If an officer gets pulled over for what ever reason even if in uniform he should not jump out of the car...Thats just stupid. So it is lucky for HIM especially if he was out of uniform. He's lucky you didnt draw down on him. Unless there is some special emergency if he was in plain clothes and you didnt recognize him and even with creds. in hand I would still order him back into the car. If I dont know the Officer personally its creds and license. I verify the license to make sure its not fake and go from there. Usually if the lic. is good and they sound ligit Ill let them go if they are from the area. From out of town or if anything is really suspicious I'll call his dept. to verify.In the end were just doing your job.So what you stop him ....then maybe a gangbanger will drive by and think hes even more ligit if it looks like hes getting a ticket or arrested.

[Blue Leader]

Nah, I was the only one on tonight. I couldn't tell if was a SCSD car or a Hudson car, I don't recall seeing any markings when it turned off the road we were on.

If I was the "only one on", I wouldn't be making any stops....period. How is only (1) officer/deputy working? You go to all calls by yourself as well? Pretty silly if that's the case.

[Guams]

If I was the "only one on", I wouldn't be making any stops....period. How is only (1) officer/deputy working? You go to all calls by yourself as well? Pretty silly if that's the case.

I work at a state park that covers just shy of 3,000 acres. Pretty darn small if you ask me. At the time, I was the only seasonal guy the park had, and the two full-time officers work day shifts, leaving me to work the nights. As of a few weeks ago, two more seasonal guys were hired.. yet most of my shifts are worked alone.

I do have the county to back me up if need be. If the call required more than one car, county doesn't hesitate to come assist. Besides, my park doesn't ever get any calls. Pretty boring, so I have to be extremely pro-active.

[johnnyradar]

I've attempted to pull over state troopers and county guys that come through town hauling ***. Everyone does it.

[Guams]

I'm beginning to realize this isn't such an isolated occurrence. Glad I'm not alone. :D

[chfwighim]

Hey bro no problems.......I LOVE messing with the new guys running radar just to see them get all excited, you see the headlights and taillights come-on, only to see some them start cussing b/c it was me in my patrol car!
One thing that may help you is if your not hiding that well and they [target vehicle] can see you just before or after they pass you....... if your target vehicle doesnt even hit the brakes, slow down, and maintains a consistant speed its a cop!

[Justice71]

Very good topic, also a good laugh reading through the indivusual replies. Definitly a bookmark on my end.

In response to the reply above me, thats not always the case, tunnel vision? driving while intoxicated? high on whatever drug? you may not be hiding as much and they still could potentially not see you.

[chfwighim]

In response to the reply above me, thats not always the case, tunnel vision? driving while intoxicated? high on whatever drug? you may not be hiding as much and they still could potentially not see you.

Justice71, most of the time it is, tunnel vision is usually broken before or after they see you. Granted, NY has hills and mountains compared to Florida. Now on the intoxicated part, their are other tall tale signs of impairment that usually would get your attention. Alot of times people do not see you until they are right up on you or past you, but if its a fellow brother or sister in the profession (and in a patrol car) you'll never usually see brake lights come on.
By the way how is the fall season up there, right now? I really miss the colors of up there and in Maryland.

[Justice71]

Its been kinda weird up here, there arent too many colors where i am currently, we are having fairly warm weather still, with colder nights. It'll be a few weeks before the colors start coming out, and of course after we gain an hour of sleep, which i am looking forward to.

[Guams]

Its been kinda weird up here, there arent too many colors where i am currently, we are having fairly warm weather still, with colder nights. It'll be a few weeks before the colors start coming out, and of course after we gain an hour of sleep, which i am looking forward to.

Interesting. All of the colors here are starting to show. The staghorn sumac has already turned it's bright red fall color. The bears in the park are starting to roam a little more. During the summer they don't come anywhere in the south half of the park (which is where all the visitors are during the peak season). This morning I found bear scat in the office parking lot.

[Staubb00]

I have some other good rookie farkups but here's my traffic one: called out that I was 10-80 in pursuit of a purple truck (had made a rolling stop and was speeding, failing to yield). go about a mile down the road and she pulls over. emergency traffic, gun drawn, cavalry coming to back me up. my partner arrives and says something to the effect of "hey that's my pal so and so!" . . .she was just rocking out to her tunes and had just had a nice chat with the other on duty officer while cutting the grass. ya she got a few tickets so i guess it was a good stop but next time before i hit the 10-80 button i'm going to make sure they are actually running and not just zoning out.

[Justice71]

Here amazingly its all still fairly green. Very few trees have a slight orange to them... However im not crying, i live under three big trees that love dumping leaves all over the property in fall :P