Question about local cops outside of their towns

[John2006]

Morning All,

I was on 128 South this am on the way to work and traffic was a lot heavier than usual. Turns out there was a fat Bedford cop in a cruiser marked "Traffic Supervisor" doing 58 mph in the far left lane. Any time anyone would get close to him on the right side (middle lane) he would hit his lights and they'd back off (including myself).

Between that and constantly riding his brakes, it was pretty much a rolling road block for about 15 miles. Anyway, being he was from Bedford and we were in Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Westwood, etc... is he allowed to do that? What kind of jurisdiction does a local cop have in a situation like that? I'm thinking zero and he was just being a DB (as well as being a hazard for driving like that), but I'd love to know for sure just in case similar situations arise in the future.

Thanks,
John

 

[MisterHappy]

Do what? Drive the speed limit?

 

[John2006]

Clearly you don't drive on 128 much do you Boss?

 

[el duderino]

Call the state police on him, or just go around whilst flipping the bird.

 

[GaryO]

I always laugh when i see people slow down in a situation like that, whats he going to do? I just pass them if they aren't keeping up with the flow of traffic.

 

[ShadeWPI]

He may or may not be able to operate outside of Bedford, depending on:

Does Bedford and the Local Juristiction have a juristiction agreement in place?

Has he reported to the Local Juristiction that he is in their juristiction and been granted authority to operate within the juristiction?

Is he also a deputy in the county sherrifs department, authorizing him to operate anywhere in the county and enforce state and county law (but not local ordinances)

If you call and report him to the State Police, those questions can get worked out and if he is not authorized to operate in the local juristiction, he should be charged with unauthorized use of an emergency vechile signalling device (lights) but he is not, in the legal sense, interfering with the free flow of traffic since he is not hindering traffic speed below the speed limit (55 mph)

If you pass him while flipping the bird and he has proper authorization, you will be legally signalled to pull over and fined for violating the speed limit (while the rest of traffic resumes its normal 70-80 mph pace)

 

[Boghog1]

Should have taken one for the team

 

[MAGG]

yeah I guess we all get use to doing over the speed limit so when someone is actually policing the speed limit(although like you said he may have been a DB and who knows why he did it) I guess in our fast paced lives slowing down sucks haha

 

[45collector]

P.I.T. maneuver.

Just kidding.

 

[Shovelheddrew]

Are you really required to stop for a police vehicle that is out of its jurisdiction? If I knew it was a Boston cop stopping me in Newton I would just call Newton 911 if I got pulled over. I would not even crack the window thinking he was just on some power trip or some odd Postal rant. I am just asking.

 

[PappyM3]

Call the State Police and inform them that there is a car driving in the passing lane while not passing anybody and with no visible intention to pass anybody. Give them that guy's license plate

 

[Len-2A Training]

Doing that is a DB stunt regardless of his authority. However, I would NOT provoke the bear, as all he has to do is radio MSP and you'll likely get pulled over and hassled or ticketed. I would just pass him and ignore him if you were so inclined.

True that in today's world, many officers are being "cross-sworn" in other towns so that they can assist when requested for help. He also could be a MetroLEC (or other LEC) officer who is sworn in over a very wide area to help in any call-outs (like people holding car wax in a WM ).

Only reason I wouldn't report him to MSP is that you'd be admitting that you were speeding and admitting to a "crime" (even though MA speed limits are ridiculous) is never a good thing.

 

[PappyM3]

Only reason I wouldn't report him to MSP is that you'd be admitting that you were speeding and admitting to a "crime" (even though MA speed limits are ridiculous) is never a good thing.

You don't have to admit to speeding when saying that you observed him staying in the left lane illegally.

 

[MisterHappy]

Clearly you don't drive on 128 much do you Boss?

I drive plenty.

And yes, I know that those white rectangular signs are "more what you'd call....guidelines"

My point is that the 128 posted limit is 55. And there are cops that will write tickets for those that go faster.

I can remember (too many) years ago that the MSP woudl do "rolling roadblocks - line abreast at 55 (or whatever was posted)

DB move? Yes, if the light and road conditions are appropriate.

I"ve always wondered....if you're driving at 65 on the Pike, and Joe Statie blows past you at 10+ MPH more, with no lights or siren, can you pull in behind him, and match his speed? I mean, in a non-emergency situation, they're supposed to obey the laws just as a commoner. So....your speedometer must be off, right?

Someone should try this, and report how it works out.

 

[MisterHappy]

You don't have to admit to speeding when saying that you observed him staying in the left lane illegally.

But the llimit is 55 - if he's not slower than that, "in theory" he's not obstructing traffic.....

 

[Len-2A Training]

You don't have to admit to speeding when saying that you observed him staying in the left lane illegally.

MSP won't care. NOBODY abides by the law that the left lane is for PASSING ONLY in MA. In CT they will ticket you for driving >x miles in the left lane, in MA they totally ignore it. Just like I see trucks in the left lane (when signed "No trucks in left lane") all the time. Never saw anyone pulled over for it either. This is MA, traffic laws are "optional"!

They aren't going to send a Trooper to chase down something like this and if you give the plate as MA "Police xxx", they will laugh their asses off after they get off the phone.

 

[PappyM3]

But the llimit is 55 - if he's not slower than that, "in theory" he's not obstructing traffic.....

Section 4B. Upon all ways the driver of a vehicle shall drive in the lane nearest the right side of the way when such lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn. When the right lane has been constructed or designated for purposes other than ordinary travel, a driver shall drive his vehicle in the lane adjacent to the right lane except when overtaking another vehicle or when preparing for a left or right turn; provided, however, that a driver may drive his vehicle in such right lane if signs have been erected by the department of highways permitting the use of such lane.

Massachusetts does not specify that one can stay in the left lane as long as they're not obstructing traffic. Left lane travel has nothing to do with speed in relation to the speed limit in MA. Very strictly, you cannot drive in the left lane unless you are passing someone or are about to turn left. Granted, during rush hour when the entire roadway is full, discretion should be used.

LenS, sadly you are correct. But that doesn't mean one shouldn't attempt to notify authorities of Police wrongdoings.

 

[ToddDubya]

Call the State Police and inform them that there is a car driving in the passing lane while not passing anybody and with no visible intention to pass anybody. Give them that guy's license plate

I got pulled over a few years ago (with a warning, phew) for going 48 in a 50 in the left lane (probably more like obstructing traffic). It was an area where the speed limit literally changes every quarter/half mile, so I typically shoot for 50ish. Anyway, he told me the left lane is for people who want to go faster. Lesson learned: Me + grandmas in the right lane, legalized speeding in the left lane.

 

[BradM]

Go all Dukes of Hazzard on his ass.

 

[sixer]

The "jurisdiction" is kind of a gray area. Now while I'm not positive about the technical "jurisdiction" of a town cop in another town, do you think for a second that if he did light you up that you could just keep going while hanging the middle finger out the window yelling obscenities? Of course not. He would light you up, you would pull over, and he would get on BAPERN and call in a statie or the local town PD and they DO have the jurisdiction to deal with you.

Would have been fun to just blow by him at 110mph and see if he could catch you before you blew off an exit when he was out of view on a curve!

 

[Serapis]

Not knowing the situation, he could have been escorting another vehicle while trying to remain low profile. Automatically this forum jumps to the conclusion that he is a crooked cop.

As far as juridiction, depending on mutual aid agreements and whether or not he is a sworn deputy he could have jurisdiction. Any sworn officer can make a Felony arrest per se.If you ever question the validity of a police officer that is pulling your over you should drive to the nearest police station and dial 911.

 

[Hustler One]

In CT they will ticket you for driving >x miles in the left lane

This has NEVER happened to me, or anyone I know. Lived here my whole life and had cops pass me while I was in the fast lane.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Very strictly, you cannot drive in the left lane unless you are passing someone or are about to turn left. Granted, during rush hour when the entire roadway is full, discretion should be used.

I have been ticketed for "failure to keep right" Section 4B quoted above, by a Mass State Trooper on 128 North bound. I was fortunate that the MSP decided to dismiss the ticket when I appeared before the magistrate to challenge. I am now MUCH more aware of what lane I am driving in.

In the 5 or 6 other states I've looked into (including New Hampshire), they have smiliar laws requiring drivers to use the right most lane except when overtaking another vehicle.

Also, reporting observing the officer traveling in the left most lane at 58mph and the dangerous traffic condition it is creating does not admit any wrong doing. Had you been overtaken by such an officer and said traffic, while traveling at the maximum safe rate of travel as designated by the state legislator, you would have just as easily been able to observe said activities.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Are you really required to stop for a police vehicle that is out of its jurisdiction? If I knew it was a Boston cop stopping me in Newton I would just call Newton 911 if I got pulled over. I would not even crack the window thinking he was just on some power trip or some odd Postal rant. I am just asking.

You are required to move right and slow down for any vehicle displaying emergency responder signals (Lights) even if they are out of juristiction. If they're out of juristiction, THEY can get in trouble for displaying, but you can still get in trouble for failure to move right. Calling the local police or even state police to verify the valid status of the traffic stop is legal, and if there is a question about the valid status of the stop, advisable.

NH had an issue a few years back where a man in a retired crown victoria police car (still had its search light) with police lights he'd installed into the grill was pulling people over on Rt 3. He was charged with several counts of impersonating an officer and he was accused of propositioning several female drivers for sexual favors in exchange for "letting them off with a warning" and 2 sexual assaults (I don't know if he was ever charged with the later).

 

[knoxy]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and expect he had a "reason", real or imagined. Maybe a detail of sorts, allowing road work to clear etc. As much as I generally loathe cops, I don't usually see them behaving like the OP described out of spite.

I spend most of my time in the left lane, cruise set to 75-79. Never had a problem. Usually that's just slow enough to piss off uppity douches in beamers/mercedes/escalades so they blow by me and smoke out the coppers.

 

[el duderino]

Call the State Police and inform them that there is a car driving in the passing lane while not passing anybody and with no visible intention to pass anybody. Give them that guy's license plate

Mass Highway has been using those electronic signboards over the last few weeks to remind people that the left lane is for passing only

Im curious is if my intention is to pass everybody, I shouldnt have to move back to the right, correct?

I"ve always wondered....if you're driving at 65 on the Pike, and Joe Statie blows past you at 10+ MPH more, with no lights or siren, can you pull in behind him, and match his speed? I mean, in a non-emergency situation, they're supposed to obey the laws just as a commoner. So....your speedometer must be off, right?

Someone should try this, and report how it works out.

Ive done it many times on 495, no issues yet, but more often than not I try to keep it around 75-80 while theyre doing 90+ and I cant keep up

 

[Len-2A Training]

This has NEVER happened to me, or anyone I know. Lived here my whole life and had cops pass me while I was in the fast lane.

I only lived there for 3 years in the early 1970s, but remember news stories about them ticketing people. I was always cautious driving in CT. Lots of things we can do with impunity in MA will earn you tickets and points in CT.

Cops blow by drivers in any/all lanes in all states. It seems to be an unofficial "privilege" that goes with the job, although it doesn't look good to the citizenry.

As a side story. I worked with someone who got a speeding ticket for driving his BICYCLE too fast on US-1 around Groton Long Point (long downhill portion) by a Groton Town cop.

One day I was watching the police do road-side inspections of cars driving by on Benham Rd, Groton. Back then inspection stickers weren't required but lack of one meant you could be pulled over and inspected anywhere in the state (and issued a sticker if you passed).

 

[drgrant]

MSP does that crap all the time, too, it seems like there is this 1% that likes to do the rolling roadblock thing on rte 2 or wherever. All you can do really is fall back and wait for the guy to exit (they do eventually, depending on where the block started).

-Mike

 

[drgrant]

Cops blow by drivers in any/all lanes in all states. It seems to be an unofficial "privilege" that goes with the job, although it doesn't look good to the citizenry.

I look at it a little differently- I'd much rather have LEOs blowing by me and completely ignoring me than lumbering around doing the rolling roadblock thing, or basically constantly shadowing me until I leave town, like they love to do in small towns in MA.

The other problem is the herd effect. Slow "police" vehicles cause people to act like idiots in their presence. The worst is the people who think that the MA DOC cars or the Sheriff vans are going to pull them over for something. Some bluehair will sit in the left lane, afraid to pass the DOC cars with the lightbars that are lumbering along at 58 mph.

-Mike

 

[MassMark]

I've had the opposite experience with MSP - at least out this way. More than a few times, I've been passed on the left by a trooper while I was in a line of traffic on the right and changed to the left and followed along as the seas parted. In one case, I flashed my lights as I got off exit 4 to say 'thanks' and he waved back...

I generally find MSP out here to be really decent...