Originally Posted by
Gokhos
Originally Posted by
Aggie
I thought the traffic code was written requiring the LEO's car to be clearly marked to engage in traffic enforcement stops. We have all seen the ghost marking cars crop up which is a grey area when determing "clearly marked". But I have noticed more and more traffic enforcement in the Austin area using completely unmarked cars to make a traffic stop. I am not talking as a spotter but actually making the stop. Is it unlawful? If I am ever acquisitioned by one of these I will head to the nearest public area like a gas station. Too many people, men and women, have been robbed or worse by emposters in Texas.
I could not find anything in the TX Code that requires LEO cars to be clearly marked. (Course, what is the definition of "clearly") Maybe someone else can find something in the code but I couldn't
I think many jurisdictions in TX use unmarked vehicles. In my town, LEOs driving unmarked cars on patrol wear their uniforms.
This thread has the same info on it.
Post your pictures of unmarked units here: - Page 2 - Radar Detector Reviews & Radar Detectors Review Forums & Laser Reviews
TRANSPORTATION CODE**CHAPTER 546. OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN OTHER VEHICLES
OFFICER; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle and wilfully fails or refuses to bring the vehicle to a stop or flees, or attempts to elude, a pursuing police vehicle when given a visual or audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop.
(b) A signal under this section that is given by a police officer pursuing a vehicle may be by hand, voice, emergency light, or siren. The officer giving the signal must be in uniform and prominently display the officer's badge of office.
The officer's vehicle must be appropriately marked as an official police vehicle.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the person, during the commission of the offense, recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.
Be advised this is a rough guideline. The fact is certified Texas peace officers can pull you over anytime they have PC, off-duty, in their personal cars, in any jurisdiction and for any reason. The trick is "can they pursue". That is way more strict. Unmarked cars cannot purse a fleeing suspect unless he is a confirmed suspect of a felony crime. And even then it better be Osama Bin Laden or there will probably be an investigation into why an unmarked car was used in a pursuit. Policy is to keep an eye on the suspect until a marked unit can get there to initiate the stop, but that won't keep them from trying.
And Stealth cars are considered marked cars. They can pursue you all day.
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