The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Q: What do you have when you are holding a giant green ball in your left hand, and another giant green ball in your right hand?


A: The Jolly Green Giant's undivided attention!!!!!

I think this belongs in the LOL thread

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

We no longer use the bean bag shotgun. The 40mm is the go-to now.

Originally Posted by Fly320s

155mm howitzer or GTFO.

[wtwo3]

I'm late to this thread so sorry if these questions have been answered. I tried reading through but with damn near 200 pages I kind of gave up after page 20 lol. But anyway, awesome thread and big thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions.

1) Are you able to tell if other motorists are using radar detectors? Like if the radar detector isn't visible, do you get any feedback on your radar gun from detectors other cars may be using? And does that change your perspective/attitude towards those vehicles?

2) How do you assess speed if you're stationary and a car is cruising on an empty highway and you haven't turned your radar on? I guess what I'm getting at is, if a cop hasn't clocked you but has pulled you over because you appeared to be going fast, can you refute that on the spot by asking for the radar reading?

3) How often are lasers used? From my understanding lasers have to be pointed from a stationary vehicle (i.e. can't be driving around with the laser on) and it has to be pointed accurately, on a clear weather day.

These uh.....asking for a friend....

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I'm late to this thread so sorry if these questions have been answered. I tried reading through but with damn near 200 pages I kind of gave up after page 20 lol. But anyway, awesome thread and big thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions.

Any time! Welcome to the thread and feel free to contribute as it's the contributions that keep this thread going.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

1) Are you able to tell if other motorists are using radar detectors? Like if the radar detector isn't visible, do you get any feedback on your radar gun from detectors other cars may be using? And does that change your perspective/attitude towards those vehicles?

No! There's nothing in our vehicles that would indicate the use of a radar detector. If the person is using a jammer I'll get odd readings on the radar readout. Most of us run LIDAR though.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

2) How do you assess speed if you're stationary and a car is cruising on an empty highway and you haven't turned your radar on? I guess what I'm getting at is, if a cop hasn't clocked you but has pulled you over because you appeared to be going fast, can you refute that on the spot by asking for the radar reading?

I can estimate speed +/- 5 mph consistently, so even without my LIDAR, I can estimate speed and write a citation. That citation will be upheld by the court if challenged because I can show my certification that I consistently estimate(d) speed within that +/- 5 mph threshold (…a California state requirement when you get radar/LIDAR trained).

Originally Posted by wtwo3

3) How often are lasers used? From my understanding lasers have to be pointed from a stationary vehicle (i.e. can't be driving around with the laser on) and it has to be pointed accurately, on a clear weather day.

These uh.....asking for a friend....

That's partially inaccurate. The day doesn't need to be clear, but I do need to be able to visually see the vehicle to get a read on it. I estimate speed first and then shoot LIDAR at the vehicle to validate that estimation. LIDAR is shot stationary, but radar can be run while in motion.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Any time! Welcome to the thread and feel free to contribute as it's the contributions that keep this thread going.







No! There's nothing in our vehicles that would indicate the use of a radar detector. If the person is using a jammer I'll get odd readings on the radar readout. Most of us run LIDAR though.




I can estimate speed +/- 5 mph consistently, so even without my LIDAR, I can estimate speed and write a citation. That citation will be upheld by the court if challenged because I can show my certification that I consistently estimate(d) speed within that +/- 5 mph threshold (…a California state requirement when you get radar/LIDAR trained).




That's partially inaccurate. The day doesn't need to be clear, but I do need to be able to visually see the vehicle to get a read on it. I estimate speed first and then shoot LIDAR at the vehicle to validate that estimation. LIDAR is shot stationary, but radar can be run while in motion.

Awesome, thanks for the responses!

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Awesome, thanks for the responses!

Now go ahead and ask Sedan_Clan about his nickname "Captain Stern".

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I'm late to this thread so sorry if these questions have been answered. I tried reading through but with damn near 200 pages I kind of gave up after page 20 lol. But anyway, awesome thread and big thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions.

1) Are you able to tell if other motorists are using radar detectors? Like if the radar detector isn't visible, do you get any feedback on your radar gun from detectors other cars may be using? And does that change your perspective/attitude towards those vehicles?

2) How do you assess speed if you're stationary and a car is cruising on an empty highway and you haven't turned your radar on? I guess what I'm getting at is, if a cop hasn't clocked you but has pulled you over because you appeared to be going fast, can you refute that on the spot by asking for the radar reading?

3) How often are lasers used? From my understanding lasers have to be pointed from a stationary vehicle (i.e. can't be driving around with the laser on) and it has to be pointed accurately, on a clear weather day.

These uh.....asking for a friend....

Well there is a thing called a radar detector detector. Yes I said that correctly. In New York you need visual and equipment verification for speed. You can jam Lidarz But I have already said too much. This post will self-destruct in 10 seconds

[NoClosedDoors]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Well there is a thing called a radar detector detector. Yes I said that correctly. In New York you need visual and equipment verification for speed. You can jam Lidarz But I have already said too much. This post will self-destruct in 10 seconds

That's why you kill the jammer after you bleed off speed.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by NoClosedDoors

...after you bleed off speed.

Dumb question - Does *rapidly* bleeding off speed prevent radar/LIDAR from getting a doppler lock on a moving vehicle? My empirical evidence with a 1990's radar gun says yes, but maybe newer equipment can cope with it better?????

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Dumb question - Does *rapidly* bleeding off speed prevent radar/LIDAR from getting a doppler lock on a moving vehicle? My empirical evidence with a 1990's radar gun says yes, but maybe newer equipment can cope with it better?????

Nope! The LIDAR gun gets a read in milliseconds. You couldn't bleed off speed fast enough to defeat the speed of light. Like I stated in an earlier post, if my eyes can see you, I can zap you…….and this is long before you even know I'm there.

Now radar is a different technology that is a little more convoluted in how it obtains your speed.

[Lady Jane]

Another dumb question:

What is the penalty for messing-up show towels in California?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Another dumb question:

What is the penalty for messing-up show towels in California?

That depends on who's doing the messing up.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That depends on who's doing the messing up.

That's very vague...

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

That's very vague...

One might receive a stern talking to. Another might receive a spanking and a nightcap…..so I can discipline all night long.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

One might receive a stern talking to. Another might receive a spanking and a nightcap…..so I can discipline all night long.

Oy!!! Has there not been enough police brutality?!!

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

One might receive a stern talking to. Another might receive a spanking and a nightcap…..so I can discipline all night long.

Living up to Captain Stern, as always

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by shoei

Oy!!! Has there not been enough police brutality?!!

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Living up to Captain Stern, as always

Welcomed thumpings in the bedroom fall out of police jurisdicktion.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Welcomed thumpings in the bedroom fall out of police jurisdicktion.

Okay we even now. I legit lol'ed in public looking like a 51/50.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by shoei

Okay we even now. I legit lol'ed in public looking like a 51/50.

LMAO! There are so many 5150's out there that you went unnoticed.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

LMAO! There are so many 5150's out there that you went unnoticed.

Simply gigling like a little school girl merits no attention.

Now, had you been SCREAMING at the IT guy as he walks out the door because the charging station ate your credit card, and then the fine officer told you "And I quote 'Messing with the police might cause you to have a traffic accident' " before said IT guy has had covfefe, MAYBE you'd register

[Fly320s]

WTH is a "show towel?"

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

WTH is a "show towel?"