can LEOs use lights on personal vehicle in new york?

[nodeal]

i was just wondering if law enforcement officers in nypd, ncpd, etc. are allowed to use flashing lights on their personal vehicles.

for example if they were off duty and were the first to witness an accident, they could pull to the scene and flash lights as they helped out the vitcims of the accident.

is it allowed? if so does anyone have them and to what extent are you allowed to have the lights? rotating flashes? headlights and taillights? front windshield and back?

very curious to know, thanks.

[mark7777]

I know some members of the swat team may have a flashing red led dash light but other than that in general in our area No they do not have emergency lights on there private vehicles.

[gbotj]

first of only buffs would put a complete light package in their personal car.

however my used one of his red dash lights (the tear drop rotating one) while he was responding from Nassau County to NYC on 9/11. NCPD sent in a bunch of Det.'s to help out and he was one that was activated.

[nodeal]

whats a buff?

[gbotj]

a buff is a guy who is REALLY into everything pretty much gungho, wears PD t-shirts all the time, talks about the job all the time. Almost everyone laughs at the buffs and finds them to be ridiculous.

Heres an example, a guy wears a PD shirt under a siut, and has an NYPD (or any department) pin on the jacket....To a wedding.

[nodeal]

lol ok dont wanna be one of those.

although sometimes i feel i might become one im so eager to be an LEO i could talk about it for hours.

[ChrisF202]

gbotj, are you referring to privately owned vehicles or department issued vehicles? SCPD issued take home cars have lights and all although I believe they are generally encouraged not to take action unless its a dire emergency.

Also, dont forget the FD buffs .... they are worse then any LE buff could ever be. Especially the ones on Long Island with the full roof lightbars and the "I am a vollie bow down to me attitude".

[ML75]

gbotj, are you referring to privately owned vehicles or department issued vehicles? SCPD issued take home cars have lights and all although I believe they are generally encouraged not to take action unless its a dire emergency.

Also, dont forget the FD buffs .... they are worse then any LE buff could ever be. Especially the ones on Long Island with the full roof lightbars and the "I am a vollie bow down to me attitude".

In the fire service the term is 'dinger', not buff. And boy do we have a lot of them..

[Arewethereyet]

Down here in Virginia we call 'em "squirrels". Squirrels are so frantic and off the walls they're like the guys who are "gungho" about LE =)

[ChrisF202]

Thanks for the correction ML, isent it illegal to have the full roof lightbars on personal vehicles? I recall reading somewhere that state code said they can only have a single small light and that they cant violate the V&T laws by acting like idiots (which 90% of the vollies do).

I realize that their are benefits to the volunteer system but it is beginning to get out of hand ...

[Dave2886]

Ditto on squirrels here, but it doesn't really apply to what you guys call "buffs"....a squirrel is someone, usually a rookie, who is always stirring up crazy $h1t at work, making mountains out of mole hills, and causing everyone else on his/her shift to clean up his/her mess....we call the guys who have all kinds of crazy gear and wear PD stuff all the time "tackleberrys". You know, the guys who have at least 2 backup guns in uniform, 5 or 6 knives concealed about their person, etc.

[gbotj]

on your personal car, not take-home cars.

[ML75]

Thanks for the correction ML, isent it illegal to have the full roof lightbars on personal vehicles? I recall reading somewhere that state code said they can only have a single small light and that they cant violate the V&T laws by acting like idiots (which 90% of the vollies do).

I realize that their are benefits to the volunteer system but it is beginning to get out of hand ...

Assuming we are still talking about FD volunteers (excluding chiefs which are authorized red lights and siren), I believe current code does not limit the size or location of the light bar nor the candle power (which previously was stated). As a volunteer with blue lights (or green for EMS/ambulance volunteers), you have ZERO authority to violate any V&T laws in NY

[mark7777]

Thanks for the correction ML, isent it illegal to have the full roof lightbars on personal vehicles? I recall reading somewhere that state code said they can only have a single small light and that they cant violate the V&T laws by acting like idiots (which 90% of the vollies do).

I realize that their are benefits to the volunteer system but it is beginning to get out of hand ...

The law is not really enforced at all but yes vollies do abuse there bluelights but at least in our dept If a officer writes to the dept with a plate number time date and location The dept will take action against the vollie usually suspension the first time and termination for any further incidents.

As for the light law we now have some paramedic units in monroe county with blue lights on the back of there lightbar....
can't say who but in mc if you see medic 34 drive by...unless they quickly decided to change those leds... LOL

[codese7en]

a buff is a guy who is REALLY into everything pretty much gungho, wears PD t-shirts all the time, talks about the job all the time. Almost everyone laughs at the buffs and finds them to be ridiculous.

Heres an example, a guy wears a PD shirt under a siut, and has an NYPD (or any department) pin on the jacket....To a wedding.

I see nothing wrong with being proud about your passion! :D


But firefighters do take it to the next level with this one... haha.

[OTVFD18]

In the fire service the term is 'dinger', not buff. And boy do we have a lot of them..

In my FD, we call them "whackers"

[Group 29]

On the federal side, we call them "Secret Squirrels". :D

[NYPD Ret]

Assuming we are still talking about FD volunteers (excluding chiefs which are authorized red lights and siren), I believe current code does not limit the size or location of the light bar nor the candle power (which previously was stated). As a volunteer with blue lights (or green for EMS/ambulance volunteers), you have ZERO authority to violate any V&T laws in NY

Actually VTL 375 does limit to ONE LIGHT for each VFD member authorized in writing to display such light...

4. Blue light. a. One blue light may be affixed to any motor vehicle
owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle
owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household
or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary
interest or by which he or she is employed, provided such volunteer
firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue light by
the chief of the fire department or company of which he or she is a
member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time
by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such
blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on
such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of
blue and red light combinations shall be prohibited on all fire
vehicles. The use of blue lights on fire vehicles shall be prohibited
and the use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only
by a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in
subparagraph b of this paragraph.

[Sgt. Geezer]

I have had to use my personal vehicle "on the job" occasionally and at one point did have it equipped with enough LEDs to make it look like a Christmas tree.

Check NYS V&T section 132-a which defines a Police vehicle and then Section 101 which defines an authorized emergency vehicle.

It's "pretty much" legal.

I would strongly suggest that the department head sanctions / approves the installation.

[ChrisF202]

I have seen vollies with roof lights, grill lights, dash lights, etc all on one vehicle.

I cant really say anything because the fire commissioner board meetings are closed to the public and because of the long standing rumor that if you publicly criticize the volunteer fire service they will "take their time" or make a few wrong turns if they ever get a call from your residence. I know it sounds stupid but I have heard it more then a few times and given the mentality and arrogance of some of my local vollies I dont doubt it one bit.

[gbotj]

chris me too. I'm just a couple towns over from you, and when I was in the FD (I was a junior for a couple years) I have noticed ALOT of arrogance.

Alot of these guys work for the local grocery store, or any local job just so they can be close to the firehouse if they get a call. I'm not knocking what they do because after all they are all we have, but its a little crazy. Not to mention these guys get siren ballz (with just the blue light) that they think they are exempt from ALL vehicle and traffic laws when they arent exempt from ANY! They blow stop signs in school zones at full speed. In the Police Department while going through EVOC they teach you "due reguard of the law" which is what laws and when you are allowed to break them. They have no concept of any of this. Whenever I see a blue light coming down the street I cringe because I know someones about to do something stupid.

[Peconic]

Remember not to categorize all vollies as buffs. As a vollie myself (EMS), and being a friend and family member with MANY VFD guys, I can say that we hate the buff mentality just as much as non-members. For example, my friends and I laugh ourselves sick at some of the EMS and fire guy/gals who have more lights on their personal vehicles, than the rockafeller x-mas tree. One guy has the following in his Jeep Liberty; headlight strobes, rear light strobes, dash strobe packs, grill strob packs (and an above the mirror LED), a rear window scrolling wig-wag (cost about $2000), LED's on the driver and passenger side doors, full scanner package, full radio package (with channels on which he is NOT allowed to operate), etc. etc. :D:D:D

[OTVFD18]

Remember not to categorize all vollies as buffs. As a vollie myself (EMS), and being a friend and family member with MANY VFD guys, I can say that we hate the buff mentality just as much as non-members. For example, my friends and I laugh ourselves sick at some of the EMS and fire guy/gals who have more lights on their personal vehicles, than the rockafeller x-mas tree. One guy has the following in his Jeep Liberty; headlight strobes, rear light strobes, dash strobe packs, grill strob packs (and an above the mirror LED), a rear window scrolling wig-wag (cost about $2000), LED's on the driver and passenger side doors, full scanner package, full radio package (with channels on which he is NOT allowed to operate), etc. etc. :D:D:D

I agree. I am a vollie in a very well respected department in my area. Yes, we have our whackers. But I think a lot of people automatically stereotype vollies as toothless rednecks with full lightbars on their pickup truck, that's also full of empties. However, in my department, we have people who run multi-million dollar corporations, people with Masters degrees, a ton with BAs, LEOs, corrections guys, and one of our founding members (an MD) just retired because he's moving. This discussion reminds me of a quote from one of the smartest men I know. "There's career guys, and there's volunteers, but no matter what you are, we're all professionals."

[Peconic]

+1 to that! I have one little light in my car, and I'll be damned if I'm going to blow lights, etc., to get to the barn 2 seconds faster! Enthusiasm is great, even to the extent of having a few "buff" items (i.e. a t-shirt, sticker), but there is a time and place to wear/display these things. Generally, its in private (esp. for LEO's), and at the very least, not everyday:)

[NYCTNT]

Calling someone a buff who isnt even on the job yet is the true buff!

[Peconic]

Calling someone a buff who isnt even on the job yet is the true buff!

Uh...I fail to see the logic in that statement? Especially seeing as I was refering to those who are in EMS and FD (look at above posted statements). And as for not being on the job yet (:) sworn in tommorow :), sorry, excited), that in no way should preclude me from knowing what is right, wrong, and just plain silly. So if me thinking someone who equips their car like an x-mas tree, and wears more agency specific gear than a Galls salesperson, is silly makes me a buff, than I suppose I am King of Buffs. Thanks for letting me know.

[rtmcqueen]

good one, so true

[gbotj]

aww NYCTNT was trying to make a funny. better luck next time.

The true buff may be a sworn member of the service posting on hiring threads just to throw around his sworn status. No?

[NYCTNT]

Peconic,

Hows that job going? Which agency are you getting on with? I was reading about you trying to get on out east with something. although I forgot for what.

anyhow, goodluck!

Gbot,

RELAX! its really not that serious!

[fedny]

Why would you want to use/bring attention to your POV? So some perp can follow you home or damage your car?

[10-97UPD]

Why would you want to use/bring attention to your POV? So some perp can follow you home or damage your car?

I was wondering the same thing. Im also willing to bet when you wreck your POV doing off duty PD work your agency will tell you to pound salt when you give them the fix it bill. Screw that..Work is work and home is home. If I gotta do something in between then so be it but I aint gonna ask for it. Im not a big fan of LAW plates and Bad Boy stickers either...IMHO that stuff is asking for trouble too. I do have a thin blue line sticker on my rear window but most people dont understand what it means.

[Sgt. Geezer]

I was wondering the same thing.......I do have a thin blue line sticker on my rear window but most people dont understand what it means.

Yeah ..... probably only 80% know its' meaning now. The other 20 are still in the dark.

[10-97UPD]

Yeah ..... probably only 80% know its' meaning now. The other 20 are still in the dark.

Yeah...cuz the other 20% are the ones who keep crossing it.

[Peconic]

Peconic,

Hows that job going? Which agency are you getting on with? I was reading about you trying to get on out east with something. although I forgot for what.

anyhow, goodluck!

Gbot,

RELAX! its really not that serious!

I got on with Suffolk County Parks Police. I actually got sworn in today!!:):) Thanks, and stay safe!

[gbotj]

PO Peconic. Congrats man.

[NYCTNT]

Congrats bro!

You will be rolling in the big bux in a couple years! Woo!


Anyhow,

The most I had on my car was a thin blue line sticker, the very small one they sell for $3 on my bumper on my old white car.

[UPNYPO]

I got on with Suffolk County Parks Police. I actually got sworn in today!!:):) Thanks, and stay safe!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[nodeal]

I got on with Suffolk County Parks Police. I actually got sworn in today!!:):) Thanks, and stay safe!

thats awesome congrats on that, big $$$ plus the experience of law enforcement. damn.

[aikido kid]

why would you want lights on your own vehicle??? Go home and watch football and eat potato chips, do police stuff while you're at work.